NEWCASTLE THUNDER have signed Castleford Tigers hooker Alfie Horwell for the remainder of the Championship season, whilst back-rower George Birch has also returned to the club.
Both players are back for a second spell with Thunder, who will bid for a tenth successive league win against North Wales Crusaders on Sunday.
Newcastle currently sit in second place – behind only runaway leaders London Broncos – with their fortunes transformed amid a partnership with York Knights that has seen players feature for both clubs.
But they have lost hooker Tom Inman to their Super League partners, with Horwell, who made four appearances for the club last season, set to back up Taylor Pemberton, who has been tasked with the bulk of the duties at nine.
Castleford are hopeful Horwell will “gain valuable game time” with Thunder, who say that the 20-year-old hooker will add “further quality and competition to the squad.”
Birch was a mainstay for Newcastle across 17 appearances in League One last year, and earned a maiden Wales cap against Ireland in November.
Having amassed a further 11 appearances in 2024, he will add further depth and experience to Thunder’s forwards as the club look to continue their momentum for the end-of-season run-in.