Returning World Cup star Scott Rhodes has played down rumours that he is on the verge of joining Castleford Tigers.

Speculation among supporters on the Tigers official website has linked the York-based scrum-half with a move to the Jungle.

But Rhodes, who is now out of contract at Leeds Rhinos, claims he is unaware of any deal.

"I haven't heard anything. I haven't spoken to my agent since I got back (from the World Cup). I am unemployed at the moment but we will have to see what happens," said the 20-year-old.

Rhodes is not keen to re-sign for the Rhinos because of limited first team opportunities.

It is a similar situation at Hull FC where he spent the end of last season on loan.

However, he is hoping his appearances for Scotland in the World Cup will have boosted his chances of finding a club.

Rhodes admitted he was "really disappointed" that Scotland failed to qualify for the quarter-finals after losing all three Group Four matches.

He claims they were capable of winning them all and said: "I'm really disappointed. We played three games and had a chance to win all three of them.

"I felt we were really capable of qualifying, it was just our own mistakes which cost us the games.

"We were going into each game talking about putting it right but it never really happened - it was mistake after mistake after mistake.

"We were well capable of beating all three teams."

Rhodes was left out of the opening match against the New Zealand Maori which Scotland lost 13-12.

He started the following the game against Ireland which they lost 18-6 and was a substitute in the 20-12 defeat by Samoa, when victory would have sent them into the knockout stages.

Despite the results he was satisfied with his own contribution.

"Against Ireland I made a mistake in the first couple of minutes and they scored but overall I played pretty well and the coach said I played well," he said.

"I ended up being on the bench for Andrew Purcell against Samoa which came down to experience because me and Richard Horne (stand-off) are only 20 and 18. But I came on and played really well and scored a try.

"It was a brilliant experience, especially for me being round players like Adrian Vowles (Castleford) and Scott Logan (Sydney City). I learned a lot."

Ireland and Samoa progressed to the quarter-finals where Rhodes believes both will perform well, although Samoa face the toughest test of all against odds-on favourites Australia.

Ireland take on England at Headingley on Saturday and Rhodes is predicting a cracking contest.

"Before the World Cup started I didn't think England would do that well but they gave a good performance against Australia," he said.

"I think it will be tight between Ireland and England. Ireland have got some class players like Barrie McDermott and I think that showed through in our group in the end.

"But New Zealand are playing well and I think it will be between them and Australia."