Donlan thanks Brown for advice

Acting Castleford head coach Stuart Donlan is grateful for the assistance of Huddersfield boss Nathan Brown as he prepares to take charge of his first Super League match.

The 31-year-old Donlan has been thrust into the top job at the Tigers with head coach Ian Millward on compassionate leave following the sudden death of his 19-year-old son Robbie last Sunday.

Donlan followed Millward from Leigh to Castleford in the close season after retiring as a player to take on his first coaching role as his assistant, and admits he is facing a tough baptism against Wigan at the Probiz Coliseum on Sunday.

"Three months into my apprenticeship and I'm being thrown in at the deep end. Sometimes that's the best way to learn," said Donlan. "The conditioning and medical staff here have been brilliant and I spoke to Nathan Brown on Tuesday and he offered me his help.

"Obviously Huddersfield beat Wigan in round one and I'd like to put on record my thanks to Nathan for the bit of advice he has given me and his offer to ring him if I needed any more help."

Donlan admits the Castleford players were in a state of shock after learning of the death of Robbie Millward from a suspected heart attack while they were preparing to return from France following last Saturday's match against Catalan Dragons.

Donlan, who knew Robbie personally since he came to this country with his father in 1999, said: "It's hit everybody, none more so than Ian.

"Ian is the main concern. His family are flying in from Australia and I think that will be a great help to him. They're arriving daily from around the world to support him. He just needs time to come to terms with the tragedy.

"Tuesday was a little bit sombre but the good thing about sport is that you've got a focus and, come Sunday, our focus will be Wigan.

"It's been a very, very tough week but we're getting towards the serious end now and it's a matter of getting the players to focus on the job in hand. I think we're finally getting our heads around Sunday."