Castleford Tigers: Ben Roberts will be a real threat from full-back insists Daryl Powell

The Samoa international, 32, has arguably just enjoyed the best campaign of his career having starred at stand-off during the West Yorkshire club’s rise to prominence.

Roberts was instrumental, proving a massive attacking threat especially with his running game, as Castleford surged to their first-ever League Leaders’ Shield and – albeit ending in defeat to Leeds Rhinos – a maiden Grand Final.

However, the fall from grace of their England full-back Zak Hardaker, who came second only to colleague Luke Gale for Man of Steel but was then provisionally suspended just two days before Old Trafford after testing positive for cocaine, has left Powell with a major hole to fill in his side.

Hardaker, 26, is expected to be banned for two years but Castleford believe they have a ready-made replacement in the shape of Roberts who operated there for them with some elan at times when Australian favourite Luke Dorn was sidelined in 2015.

Powell swiftly re-signed half-back Jamie Ellis from Huddersfield Giants to partner Gale in the halves in 2018 which facilitates Roberts’ return to the No1 role, something that excites the Wheldon Road chief.

“Benny Roberts will play full-back for us next year and, for me, he is a natural full-back,” he said.

“He’s a terrific player and all the way through his career he’s been able to play both roles.