Chambers set on Super League glory

Controversial sprinter Dwain Chambers says he is determined to carve out a career in rugby league.

The 29-year-old has been offered trials by struggling Super League club Castleford.

Chambers has struggled to resurrect his athletics career since serving a two-year ban for the steroid THG.

He won a silver medal in the 60 metres event at the World Indoor Championships in Valencia earlier this month.

But he is banned from competing in Olympic competitions for life and will miss out on the Beijing Games unless he wins a legal challenge.

Chambers, who played American football in the now defunct NFL Europa, said: "Both Castleford and I are determined for this to work. The reaction to the news has been wild.

"I'm still on a mental down because of my situation in athletics, despite winning silver in Valencia, but I woke up on Saturday to see my face all over the television again and I realised rugby league gives me a chance to put a positive spin on my sporting outlook."

He admitted a £60,000-a-year job with bottom-placed Tigers would come in handy as he struggles to pay back £100,000 of prize money he won while cheating in athletics.

"The fact is I have to earn a living for myself, my fiancee Leonie and my baby boy Skye.

"Potentially I could make that sort of money for about nine seconds' work in a grand prix race, but things have changed. So £60,000 would be nice."

And he insisted his experiences playing American football have prepared him for the physical challenges of rugby league, saying: "I'm not doing this for a laugh - I know how badly you can be hurt in rugby league but I'm ready.

"I experienced American football last year and am fully aware of just how violent contact sports can be.

"I'm told rugby league is even more barbaric. Let's wait and see."

Great Britain legend Martin Offiah backed Chambers, saying: "If anyone can do it, he can. It all depends on how much Dwain himself wants it.

"It's a whole new ball game but human beings are adaptable so it's definitely possible."

The Rugby Football League (RFL) denied the move meant the sport was a soft touch for drug cheats, saying Chambers was free to play as he has served his ban.

An RFL spokesman said: "We are committed to the principles of a drug-free sport and rugby league is considered one of the leading sports in the UK for its anti-doping testing and education programmes."

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