Simms joins Salford back-room staff

Steve Simms is expected to join Salford to beef up their back-room team in time for the start of their pre-season training on 9 November. The former Leigh and Halifax coach is to come to The Willows to work alongside their young British coach, Steve McCormack, although his precise title and job description is yet to be decided.

Simms built up a good reputation in five years in Britain, especially for his ability to bring through young players, before returning to his native Australia in 1997. McCormack, who had a tough baptism after taking over from John Harvey for the final weeks of last season, has been assured that his own position will not be affected.

Meanwhile, the club have signed the 30-year-old St George-Illawarra forward, Darren Treacy.

The Featherstone coach Peter Rowe has emerged as the favourite for the vacant job at Wakefield. The club's new director of rugby, Peter Fox, is keen to appoint an Englishman to the role vacated by John Harbin.

The Northern Ford Premiership club Doncaster have continued their rebuilding for the new season, which starts on 2 December, by signing the former Leeds and Halifax three-quarter, Marvin Golden, who was a regular in the London Broncos' back-line last season.

Like another former Halifax player, Martin Moana, Golden will be employed full-time in a development role in and around the town. The club has also enlisted the ex-Hunslet and Dewsbury winger, Richard Baker, and Castleford's reserve hooker, Richard Green.

Australia have still not decided whether to bring Brett Kimmorley to Britain as a replacement for the injured Craig Gower. The selectors might ask coach, Chris Anderson, to manage with a depleted party.