Jack Ashworth swaps Castleford for Leigh in swap deal that sends Lazarus Vaalepu the other way
Jack Ashworth is a Leopard. The 31-year-old prop forward has joined Leigh Leopards from Castleford Tigers with immediate effect, signing a contract that runs until the end of the 2028 season BBC Sport.
In a straight swap of front-rowers, Lazarus Vaalepu moves the other way — from Leigh to Castleford on loan for the remainder of the campaign. Vaalepu, 27, had joined Leigh midway through the 2026 season but managed only four appearances for the Leopards, plus two on loan at Oldham BBC Sport.
Ashworth's arrival at Leigh is a homecoming of sorts. He previously had a loan spell with the Leopards in 2021, having started his career at St Helens before spending three seasons with Huddersfield Giants BBC Sport. He moved to Castleford from Hull FC at the start of this season, making 10 first-team appearances and also spending time on loan at Doncaster. By the time he landed at Leigh, he had racked up more than 100 Super League appearances Leigh Leopards.
The deal had been building behind the scenes. Castleford confirmed on 5 July that Ashworth and team-mate Jenson Windley had been recalled from their loan spells at Leigh, paving the way for a permanent move Castleford Tigers.
Leigh's director of rugby Andrew Henderson said Ashworth brings exactly what his squad needs. "He's tough, he's experienced, he knows what it takes at Super League level," Henderson said. "He brings physicality and a team-first mentality" BBC Sport.
On the Castleford side, director of rugby Chris Chester was equally enthused about the incoming Vaalepu, describing him as "a big body who moves well" who will give the Tigers "much-needed punch through the middle third of the field" BBC Sport.
A prop forward — the front-row grunt worker who carries the ball into contact and anchors the scrum — is the engine room of any rugby league side. Both clubs have essentially traded engines, each betting that a change of scenery will unlock a bit more from players who found first-team minutes hard to come by at their previous clubs.
For Ashworth, the move offers long-term security and a return to a club he already knows. For Vaalepu, it is a short-term opportunity to impress at Castleford and earn something more permanent. Both deals are a reminder that, even deep into a season, Super League clubs are still willing to shuffle their packs.
