YORK City Knights have made one raid on The Jungle to snap up a Castleford Tigers young gun – and they are eyeing up another more notable move.

The Knights have signed Sam Lynch, a young full-back who has come through the Tigers’ youth system, and they are now weighing up an offer for Cas first-teamer Ryan Clayton.

Both players have been released by the Super League club and, while Lynch is making the switch in search of first-team rugby, the recruitment of back-rower Clayton would be a sizeable coup should it come off.

The 27-year-old first signed for Castleford in 2004 from Halifax, with whom he won two England ‘A’ caps.

Following Cas’ relegation from Super League at the end of that season, he had a year at Huddersfield and another at Salford before returning to The Jungle and helping the Tigers back into the top tier, being named in the 2007 National League One (Championship) Team of the Year.

He was set to leave the club a year ago, but an about-turn saw him agree a new 12-month deal, which is now up.

The Knights for their part are short on back-row strength with captain Jordan Ross and Luke Hardbottle leaving for Australia, while their audacious bid to sign Wakefield legend Jason Demetriou did not come off.

Lynch, meanwhile, has been allowed to leave Cas due to the competition for the full-back berth already in the first-team ranks, with England international Richie Mathers, a recent recruit from Warrington, set to vie for the number one shirt with Aussie Ryan McGoldrick.

Lynch comes to York on a one-year contract, and Knights general manager Ian Wilson said: “We’ve had some good reports. He’s a promising young player who wants to challenge for a first-team spot and we’re giving him that opportunity.

“Cas were seriously considering keeping him for next season and the main reason they did not was the number of quality full-backs they already have, which would make it difficult for him to get an opportunity.

“He’s been there for a few years, playing for the under-18s and reserves and he’s at the age where he wants to be finding first-team games.”

His recruitment, following that of fellow full-back James Haynes, puts the future of fans’ favourite Danny Ratcliffe – courted by rivals clubs – in further doubt.

Wilson added: “You need to have at least two players for every position. Sam can also play on the wing and, with Wayne Reittie leaving, that opens a space there.”

As for talks with Clayton, Wilson said: “We missed out on Jason Demetriou and we’re still looking around, particularly for back-rowers. He’s got plenty of Super League experience. If something can be arranged within our budget we could look to do something.”