World indoor 60m silver medallist Dwain Chambers will have a one-month trial with British rugby league side Castleford.
The 29-year-old British sprinter, who served a two-year ban for doping, told a news conference today that he was looking forward to trying out the sport although he still held out hope of competing at the Beijing Olympics.
'The only experience of rugby league I've had is holding the ball at a photo shoot,' said Chambers, who also attempted a career in American football.
'I'll take it catch by catch. The difference is that instead of running in straight lines I'll be going side to side.
'I'm a tough nut. I'm willing to go out there and try what the sport entails. There's a risk but I'm open to that.
'This is just one of many options that has presented itself at the moment.'
Chambers sat next to his lawyer Nick Collins, who is working with the athlete in a bid to allow him to compete in Beijing. Under British Olympic Association (BOA) rules no athlete convicted of doping can compete for Britain at an Olympics.
'It's always been a very realistic aim we will be going there (Beijing),' Collins said.
'There's been some very encouraging comments from people outside the BOA saying they have no problem with Dwain.
'We wouldn't take it (an appeal) on if we didn't think there would be a reasonable chance of success. It's likely.'
Castleford manager Michael Robinson denied the trial was a publicity stunt and said Chambers would be working with the squad on sprint training and would also be taking part in community projects.
Head coach Terry Matterson said he had not been involved in the decision to offer Chambers a trial.
'Nothing ventured, nothing gained,' he said. 'I'm sure Dwain being the competitive sportsman that he is will want to make a success of whatever he does. It's an opportunity.'
Chambers, who was stripped of his 2002 European 100m title, was reluctantly chosen for the British team at the world indoor championships in Valencia after winning the trials, bringing a mixed reaction.
Chambers tested positive for the designer steroid THG in 2003 and was banned for two years. He later admitted he had been taking the banned substance for 18 months before he was caught.
Castleford lie bottom of the Super League.
