Ex-Rhino Cummins content to be a Bull

Brian McClennan's No 2 announced in July that he would be leaving Headingley after 18 years as a player and assistant in order to try to secure a Super League head coach post.

The former Great Britain winger has had no luck in that search but has instead joined Bradford on a one-year deal as deputy to incoming coach Mick Potter.

"I had a few offers but, having met Mick Potter and thought about where Bradford are and the players they have, it was clear this was the right one for me," said Cummins, 33, who will work alongside Lee St Hilaire and head of physical performance Geoff Evans.

Potter said: "Francis Cummins is going to add a lot of value to us. We believe we have a good balance and people who can complement each other, as we do with our playing roster."

However, long-running speculation is growing that star player Matt Orford will not return next season.

The scrum-half is in Australia recovering from shoulder surgery but is thought to be seeking a return to the NRL less than 12 months after joining from Manly.

New Parramatta chief Steve Kearney, who coached him at Melbourne, said as much to reporters at his first press conference yesterday admitting he wanted to sign the 32-year-old and alerted them to expect news shortly.

Orford is due to return for pre-season training next month and has two years remaining on his contract so the Bulls – who insist nothing has changed – will demand compensation.

Meanwhile, in a move which will help the likes of Cummins in future years, the RFL are to play a more active role in increasing the number of British coaches.

Bradford's appointment of Australian Potter has left just three Britons in charge of the 14 Super League clubs.

John Kear (Wakefield), Brian Noble (Crusaders) and Richard Agar (Hull) are the trio of home-produced coaches but the RFL are to identify 10 current British players and put them on a coaching pathway.

Hull have confirmed the departure of ex-England international Mark Calderwood while they have also released fellow winger Dennis Tuffour.