As fun and headline-grabbing as the Dwain Chambers rugby league odyssey has been for the past month, Castleford Tigers secured the deal that they really wanted in tying Joe Westerman, the 18-year-old loose forward who has been compared to Andy Farrell and Paul Sculthorpe, to an extended four-year contract.

Castleford will decide this week whether to pursue an interest in Chambers, the 30-year-old former athlete, who struggled with the game's physicality and basic skills in a reserve-team debut lasting 39 minutes on Sunday that concluded his month's unpaid trial. But Westerman, a candidate for an England World Cup spot in October, is the genuine article and has made a significant impression in his first season in the engage Super League, despite the Tigers struggling at the foot of the table.

The deal for Westerman ties in with the ambition of the club, with a proposed new stadium a key plank of Castleford's application for a three-year Super League licence from next year. “The club has an exciting future and I want to be a part of it,” he said. “With the young players here and the new stadium coming along, I'm looking forward to being here. I've learnt a great deal under Terry Matterson [the coach] and want to continue to improve and play for England.”

Richard Wright, the Castleford chief executive, said: “We've made some headlines this season, but I know this will be news that all our fans have been waiting for. Joe has tremendous talent and also a commitment and desire to succeed. He is an essential part of our plans as we aim to move up the Super League table.”

However, it would be a surprise if Westerman has not had a get-out clause inserted in the event that Castleford are not allocated a licence in July. Leeds Rhinos would then come back into the reckoning as they cast around for a replacement for Gareth Ellis, the Great Britain forward who is joining Wests Tigers in the NRL next season.

In response to a back-row injury crisis, with Ellis, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Ali Lauitiiti injured, Leeds have signed Éric Anselme, the 29-year-old France player, on a four-month loan from Albi. He could make his debut in Saturday's Millennium Magic fixture against Bradford Bulls in Cardiff.

Brian Noble, the Wigan Warriors coach, who wants to extend his contract at the JJB Stadium beyond this season, is reportedly on a list of 20 applicants for the vacancy at Catalans Dragons next year.