Leigh aim to recruit 'top name' coach

Leigh are to advertise their vacant coaching job, despite the emergence of Neil Kelly and Ian Millward as early contenders.

Kelly, the former Dewsbury and Widnes coach, is ready to leave his post with Ulster to return to rugby league, whilst Millward, who began his English career at Leigh, is considering coming back to this country after missing out on a string of top jobs in Australia.

"It's all a matter of affordability and availability," said the club's chief executive, Allan Rowley. "We will look at any top coach who is interested – and Neil and Ian both fall into that bracket."

Leigh, who are one of the National League clubs applying for a Super League licence for next season, see the recruitment of a high-profile coach like Millward or Kelly as an extra argument in their favour when the places in the competition are allocated in July.

The former Leigh assistant coach, Tommy Martyn, has joined the staff at Warrington.