WELSH international centre Scott Gibbs will play his last game for Saints in tomorrow night's Super League showdown at Castleford, kick-off 7.30.

He is to return to Rugby Union club Swansea - from whom he joined Saints in April 1994 on a three-year £250,000 contract - for a transfer fee of more than £200,000.

Saints will also retain Gibbs' player registration should he wish to return to Rugby League, and will receive 40 per cent of any excess fee should Scott sign for any other club, be it League or Union.

Capped by his country at both codes, 25-year-old Scott will regain his place in the Welsh squad, while his departure from Knowsley Road has been described as 'amicable' by both officials and players.

Said chief executive David Howes: "Quite simply Scott wants to return to his first love of Rugby Union and we have kept our word that we would not stand in his way, and as a further gesture of goodwill we hope to send him a Super League championship medal!

"However, Saints will not be casting around for a ready-made replacement for Gibbs, for we are still very much at pay-back time following the massive expenditure over the last two seasons."

Meanwhile, Saints are hopeful that Paul Newlove,Anthony Sullivan and Dean Busby will be fit to play at Castleford as the title countdown reaches round 19, but Chris Joynt (ankle ligament damage) and Alan Hunte (wrenched knee) are ruled out.

Referee is David Campbell, the match will be screened on Sky from 7pm, and the Academy teams of both clubs will meet in a curtain-raiser, kick-off 5pm.

Simon Booth, Andy Leathem and Andy Haigh are included in the Alliance side to face Castleford at Knowsley Road tonight (Thursday), kick-off 7.30pm.

Long-serving Cumbrian prop Jonathan Neill has joined Huddersfield on a free transfer, while the Yorkshire club and Widnes have expressed an interest in utility forward Richard Shiel.

Loose-forward Andy Northey - who is sidelined with a stomach injury - has been suspended for two matches after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle at Oldham.

Saints have attracted 85,306 spectators to their nine home games in the Super League, for an average of 9,478, compared to the Centenary League figure of 7,100. Volunteers are needed to assist the Gus O'Donnell testimonial committee, and anyone interested should contact George Connolly on 0151-426-0030.

Mr Connolly is also involved in the testimonial of Warrington's St. Helens-born star Gary Sanderson, and he can supply full-colour brochures price £2 by telephoning the above number.

Forthcoming events in the Phil Veivers benefit year include: Race nights in August - 16 Eccleston Bowling Club. 18 Bird Ith Hand. 29 Bridge Inn, Burtonwood. Barbecue at Birchalls Farm, Rainford, Saturday, August 24. Mixed dinner at Saints, Friday, August 30. Further details from Bernard Sweeney 892919.

Bradford Bulls and former Saints star Bernard Dwyer has been named in the Ireland team to play Scotland at the Partick Thistle ground, Glasgow, on Tuesday, August 6. St. Helens-born Bernard qualifies because his grandfather came from Roscommon.

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