Castleford Tigers are making a late push to sign South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Jacob Host, but time is running out to get the deal across the line.
As first reported by All Out Rugby League, the Tigers are keen on the 28-year-old back-rower, with a quota spot now open following the recent departure of Judah Rimbu.
But for Host to be eligible for a move under UK visa rules, the transfer must be completed before the start of August, when Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) criteria are set to change.
Ticking clock could derail Host pursuit
Currently, Host meets the threshold, having played 31 NRL games across the 2023 and 2024 seasons. But crucially, all of those appearances came before this year. With Host yet to play a single NRL match in 2024, he would fall short under the new GBE standards if the move isn't finalised this month.
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That’s forced Castleford to accelerate talks, though the club is also weighing up alternative targets to avoid being left short.
Host, who debuted for St George Illawarra in 2016 and joined the Rabbitohs in 2021, has 111 NRL appearances to his name. He featured in Souths’ Grand Final loss in 2021 but has since slid down the pecking order.
The Tigers, now under new director of rugby Chris Chester, are expected to be aggressive in reshaping their squad ahead of 2026, with several off-contract players and changes to the quota list likely on the horizon.