he is without a doubt one of , if not THE key factor of the teams togetherness this year. absolute quality. keep it up Richie

Richie Mathers I think will become one of the most important signing over the next couple of years at Cas.

He leadership at the back is evident, where he is marshalling those around him.

This is one area in the past we have been lacking. another reason our defence has vastly improved.

Warrington wanted to keep Richie, he was well thought of by both the club and the supporters (in the main)

He's a rough diamond and a vastly underratted player, forget what Wigan say about him, they do manage to ruin a few players.

At the end of the day though Richie didn't want to play 2nd fiddle to Hodgson (who can blame him).

He has the occasional brain fart but who doesn't, remember Billy Slater making a boo boo or two and who wouldn't have him in their squad ?

The fact that Wigan didn't give him any real regular game time was probably partly to blame for his form there.

When he was coming through at Leeds I used to think he looked like a young John WOods, with the long kneck & the classy confidence. The confidence has obviously been knocked out of him but is slowly returning. The next SO when Chase moves on, a la Lockyer.

The last season he had at Leeds - just before he went to the NRL - I thought he was pushing for the best fullback in Superleague. Had a blinder of a game against Cas at Headingley when the Loiners battered us (again!).

If you'd have said then he'd be playing for Cas in a few seasons time I'd be calling the funny farm!