Wigan sign replacement for Cowie

Wigan have confirmed the signing of the New Zealand Test prop Craig Smith on a two-year contract. The St George-Illawarra captain, who was in the Kiwi side that lost 40-12 to Australia in the World Cup final at Old Trafford last November, will plug the gap created by the retirement of Neil Cowie and takes Wigan's overseas quota spot vacated by Matthew Johns' return to Australia later this year.

Gary Mercer has left Warrington and made a surprise return to Leeds. The 35-year-old former New Zealand international captained the Rhinos in 1997 before moving to Halifax and joined Warrington for a second time earlier this season.

The former Great Britain captain Mike Gregory has left his job as Swinton coach by mutual agreement. The Northern Ford Premiership club have yet to find a replacement for the 37-year-old, who held the position for two years.