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St George trio ‘committed’ to Castleford despite Ryan Carr drama as club contact signings NRL star Damien Cook is heading for Castleford Tigers. Castleford Tigers’ incoming trio of Damien Cook, Tyrell Sloan and Mat Feagai are still ‘committed’ to coming to the club in 2027 despite the drama surrounding head coach Ryan Carr. The Tigers have had a turbulent week off the field, with Carr suspended by the club pending an internal investigation – though the Tigers said in a statement on Wednesday that he would be missing Friday night’s game with Hull KR due to ‘personal reasons’. Little is known at this stage about the circumstances behind Carr’s absence and why Castleford felt they had no option but to suspend him. However, it is also creating an interesting debate about what may happen next. Carr drama puts signings in limbo That also includes how their signings – three in particular – may have reacted to the news that there is now seemingly a chance Carr will not be coaching Castleford in 2027. He was hugely influential in convincing Dragons trio Cook, Sloan and Feagai to make the move to Super League next year after working with the players during his time as an assistant coach at the club. And reports have now emerged claiming that the Tigers’ head of rugby, Chris Chester, has attempted to clarify the situation with the players. He has contacted them and their respective management companies to assure them the situation will be handled cleanly and efficiently – while also stressing there is no change their end on their desires to bring the trio over to Super League. Crucially, it has been suggested all three remain fully committed to Castleford – meaning that at this stage, Cook, Sloan and Feagai will all join irrespective of what happens to Carr. That suggestion has been supported by senior figures at Castleford when asked by Love Rugby League. Castleford prepare for strange night There will be a bizarre atmosphere at Wheldon Road on Friday evening when they take on world champions Hull KR without Carr in the dugout. Chester, Scott Murrell and Rob Nickolay will be the trio leading the on-field coaching efforts – but they will be supported by a club icon in Adrian Vowles. Vowles is only in England for a short holiday and is due to give a talk on Saturday evening about his time with Castleford, which saw him win the Man of Steel award. But he will now have a temporary role helping with the coaching efforts too alongside Chester, Nickolay and Murrell as they attempt to work out a resolution with Carr. It remains unclear at this stage whether or not Carr will be coaching Castleford in 2027.