Chambers steps up for a taste of real action

Surely the most bizarre sideshow of the rugby league season will be open for business today when Dwain Chambers makes his debut for Castleford. The disgraced sprinter's one-month trial with the Tigers will reach its conclusion with a specially arranged reserve-team friendly against the York City Knights.

For £3 a throw, the curious of Castleford are being invited to see whether Chambers has learnt anything during his time with the club and whether it is worth him sticking at it. The likelihood is he will make a cameo appearance off the bench and will be put under considerable pressure by at least a couple of outside- backs from York's first team who played at Blackpool yesterday.

There will be a certain kudos in getting a good shoulder into the fastest man in the country. It is not inconceivable, however,that at this level he could go past a few people. By all accounts Chambers has been a popular guest during his month at The Jungle, and no one wants to see him get hurt. The best outcome is for him to come through safely and announce tomorrow that, much as he has enjoyed it, his future lies elsewhere.

If he watched the Warrington-St Helens game on Friday night, Chambers will have seen just how much the winger has to do in the modern game, how relentless his involvement can be. Kevin Penny scored three tries, could have had five and was implicatedin two conceded. He hardly had a spare moment to draw breath, let alone analyse whether he was in the right sport.

It will not be quite the same against York reserves, but training does not prepare you for the hard knocks and the gruelling mental pressure.

It is nothing short of weird, however, that a match such as Bradford vean in the country. It is not inconceivable, however,that at this level he could go past a few people. By all accounts Chambers has been a popular guest during his month at The Jungle, and no one wants to see him get hurt. The best outcome is for him to come through safelyand announce tomorrow that, much as he has enjoyed it, his future lies elsewhere.