Liam Watts discusses Lee Radford relationship as pair reunite at Castleford

Liam Watts admits Castleford's hierarchy consulted him on the state of his relationship with Lee Radford before appointing him as the club's new head coach - but says any mention of a rift between the pair is wide of the mark.

Watts left Hull in 2018 following a reported falling out with Radford, eventually signing a deal with Castleford. Both player and coach have spoken about the incident since then, but they are now once again reunited at the Tigers in 2022.

However, Watts has stressed there is no issue, saying his main motivation for leaving Hull at the time was a desire to sign for his hometown club, not a spat with Radford.

"I think too much was made of it," Watts told Rugby League Live. "There was something there, I'd done something stupid headbutting Dom Crosby but a few things got tossed about that weren't true.

"Look, at the time I chose to leave because the opportunity came up to come to Castleford. The way everything was going, I just felt like it was the right time.

"I'd achieved what I could there and Castleford had a really strong year in 2017 so it felt like I was going into a group with a chance of winning something. I never wanted to come back here at 34 and be accused of coming back for a payday."

Watts did admit, however, that he was asked by the Tigers about the reported falling out with Radford as they considered whether to appoint him as Daryl Powell's successor.

"If anything, I've got Radders this job," Watts laughed.

"When I saw the names being tossed up for the job, I told (managing director) Mark Grattan that the best man for the job was Radders. I've given them some background on him because they were nervy with me, asking how things were between us.

"We've always been mates off the pitch, you