Castleford Tigers legend Craig Huby has landed his first role as a head coach and will take over from another ex-Tigers great in the process.

The 276-game Super League prop has been confirmed as the new boss of Newcastle Thunder and will form part of a new-look coaching set-up in the north-east. He replaces Graham Steadman, who departs the side after two seasons at the helm.

The 40-year-old retired from the sport in 2019 and has been in and around coaches’ boxes across the Championship, including Halifax Panthers in 2024 and Sheffield Eagles in 2025 and 2026.

Huby will be joined by Alex Donaghy, who will join the side as assistant boss. The 25-year-old is a former Newcastle full-back, and he spent his final season as a player with Workington Town.

Tom Scott will take on the role of strength and conditioning, whilst Pete Ryan will be the club’s physio.

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Following the confirmation of his arrival, Huby explained: “I’m really excited for the opportunity to take the head coach appointment at a club that’s on the up.

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“I’m ready to go and excited to meet the players. We have a nucleus of the squad signed up for 2027, based around people who want to commit to Newcastle and take the club to the next level. It will look a little different from 2026 with us being part-time and back in Newcastle, but for me that’s part of the excitement.”

“The playing group will be expected to train at a high intensity and there’s a big focus on effort areas that don’t require any talent. The coaching staff will have them working hard, and it will be clear what a Newcastle player should look like. I’ve played at the highest level in the UK, and I am a coach who likes to move the ball around, so fans can expect an expansive style of rugby on the field.”

Huby’s comments suggest that the partnership between Thunder and York Knights will be reduced. This season saw Newcastle train full-time, with the sharing of players, facilities and resources a key reason why Newcastle did so well in the second tier.