DONCASTER coach Richard Horne is happy to have beefed up his pack with the loan signing of Super League-hardened forward Jack Ashworth.

The 30-year-old St Helens product (pictured) who has also played for Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC been borrowed from Castleford Tigers for a month.

Former England Knights international Ashworth joined the Tigers ahead of this season but made the most recent of his five first-team appearances back in April.

Having fallen behind the likes of freshly-signed Tyler Dupree (from Wigan Warriors) and Jack Brown (from Hull KR) in the pecking order, he has been turning out for the Reserves.

Doncaster have a busy month, including trips to Halifax Panthers on Sunday, Widnes Vikings next Wednesday (July 1), then leaders London Broncos on Saturday, July 11 (that game is at Ebbsfleet United Football Club’s Kuflink Stadium in Gravesend, Kent).

“Jack is a big and powerful addition to the squad. He carries hard, dominates the contact area and brings real presence on both sides of the ball,” said Horne.

“We’re delighted to have him and look forward to seeing the impact he can make. The month gives us the opportunity to build momentum together.”

Castleford director of rugby Chris Chester added: “Fierce competition for places in our pack in recent weeks has meant that Jack hasn’t played for a few games.

“We felt this loan was a good chance to help him to maintain his match fitness at a competitive level so that he can stay sharp and ready to return to our first team when called upon.”

Ashworth has played more than 100 top-flight matches and figured in Saints’ 2019 Grand Final win over Salford Red Devils.

Over the years he has had loan spells at Rochdale Hornets, his hometown club and where he played in the pathway system before joining Saints, Sheffield Eagles, Leigh Leopards (then Centurions), Halifax and Featherstone Rovers.