Chambers' bid to make it in rugby league stalls after just 39 minutes

DWAIN Chambers is not finished with rugby league just yet, despite Castleford Tigers' decision not to offer him an extended run.

The engage Super League strugglers say they saw encouraging signs during the disgraced athlete's month-long, unpaid trial, but they do not have time to spend grooming him for rugby league.

Chambers, 30, who experienced his first taste of rugby in a specially-arranged reserve grade game nine days ago, must now hope that clubs outside Super League saw enough potential to make him an offer.

"I am in discussions with other clubs," said Chambers' agent Ron Hill. "But it's got to be right from day one. It was all a bit rushed last time. I have had one or two clubs coming to me but it's got to be full-time.

"Dwain needs six months in the reserve grade and a full pre-season to learn about the game. We know he's mentally tough and he's got speed. He has come a long way in a short time and I think what we've seen in a month is enough to show there is potential."

Chambers, shunned by athletics since his return from a two-year drugs ban, spent 39 minutes on the field in four spells of last month's friendly match and clearly struggled to cope with the stamina needed to play the 13-man game before eventually retiring with a shoulder injury.

He insisted, however, that he enjoyed the experience and Castleford chief executive Richard Wright claimed the exercise was worthwhile. "Many people watched Dwain in the trial game and he has certainly won over some of the doubters and proved that the trial was more than simply a publicity stunt," Wright said.

"During his trial period Dwain has been a joy to have around. His work ethic and professionalism have been exemplary. He has got on well with all members of the club's staff that he has come into contact with and he has been in great demand, proving a popular visitor to local schools.

"He has also given us a huge media profile. I believe that he feels that he has gained from his time with us, so there are no losers.

"However, our coaching team feels that he would need a significant amount of additional time to prove whether or not he would be capable of making the grade in Super League and time is something that we don't have.

"Furthermore we have an outstanding group of young players coming through whom we need to focus upon and give our attention.

"As a result we have reluctantly come to the decision not to continue with the trial. All the club wish Dwain the very best for the future in whatever path he chooses to follow."

Chambers' manager Nick Collins added: "Whilst disappointed, Dwain is comfortable with and understands the decision.

"He has had a great time and made some good friends during his brief period with the club. He leaves the club in a positive mood and with a smile on his face."

Chambers, who needs to pay back around £100,000 in prize money he earned during the time he spent taking illegal drugs, twice tried and failed to break through into American Football.

He has not yet ruled out a bid to over-turn the British Olympic Association's ban on him competing in Beijing this year and also has hopes of running in the London Olympics in 2012.

• St Helens have announced that they will be renaming their famous Knowsley Road ground as part of a sponsorship deal. The stadium, which has been the club's home since 1890, will now be known as The GPW Recruitment Stadium until the end of the 2010 season.