Leeds veteran Cummins takes on assistant's role

Leeds have promoted their long-serving player, Francis Cummins, to take the place of Brian McDermott, who started work yesterday as the new head coach at Harlequins.

Cummins, 29, played for the club for 12 years before moving on to the coaching staff this season. He now takes over from McDermott as assistant to Tony Smith.

Smith is still hoping to bring over the New Zealand international Clinton Toopi for the rest of the season. Toopi is due to arrive for next season, but the hope is that his club, the New Zealand Warriors, will let him sign before this year's deadline next Tuesday.

Smith has denied any plans to sign Wakefield's David Solomona and Semi Tadulala and Salford's Andrew Dunemann for next season, despite rumours linking them with the club.

The Huddersfield centre James Evans has joined Wakefield on loan for the rest of the season. Under the deal, he cannot play for Wakefield against the Giants on Sunday.

The hooker Tevita Latu, sacked by the Australian club Cronulla after breaking a woman's nose, says he hopes to resume his career in England.