Leigh Leopards Sign Jack Ashworth as Lazarus Vaalepu Joins Castleford on Loan
Leigh Leopards have confirmed the signing of forward Jack Ashworth from Castleford Tigers, effective immediately. Ashworth, who has signed a contract through the end of the 2028 season, moves back to Leigh after a stint with Castleford.
In return, Samoa international Lazarus Vaalepu will join Castleford on loan for the remainder of the season. Vaalepu, 27, made four appearances for Leigh after joining midway through the 2026 season and also played twice on loan at Oldham.
Ashworth, 31, initially joined Castleford from Hull FC at the start of the current season, where he made 10 first-team appearances. He previously played on loan for Leigh in 2021 and began his professional career at St Helens, later spending three seasons with Huddersfield Giants.
Leigh’s director of rugby, Andrew Henderson, praised Ashworth’s experience, stating, “Jack is a tough, experienced player, who knows what it takes at Super League level. He brings physicality and a real team-first mentality.”
Castleford’s director of rugby, Chris Chester, also commented on Vaalepu’s potential, noting, “Lazarus is a big body and someone that moves well. He will give us some much-needed punch through the middle third of the field.”
Forward Jack Ashworth has joined Leigh Leopards from Castleford Tigers with immediate effect, signing a contract until the end of the 2028 season.
Samoa international forward Lazarus Vaalepu has gone in the opposite direction, joining Castleford from Leigh on loan for the rest of the season.
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Ashworth, 31, joined Cas from Hull FC at the start of the season and made 10 first-team appearances, as well as having a spell on loan at Doncaster.
Ashworth returns to Leigh where he played on loan in 2021 after starting his career with St Helens while he also spent three seasons with Huddersfield Giants.
Leigh director of rugby Andrew Henderson told the club website: “Jack is a tough, experienced player, who knows what it takes at Super League level. He brings physicality and a real team-first mentality.”
Vaalepu, 27, joined Leigh halfway through the 2026 season and made four appearances for the Leopards, as well as featuring twice for Oldham on loan.
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Castleford director of rugby Chris Chester told the club website: “Lazarus is a big body and someone that moves well. He will give us some much-needed punch through the middle third of the field.”
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