Leigh bring Millward back to assist coach

Ian Millward is set to rejoin Leigh, the club he revived in the late 1990s. Millward, sacked by Wigan two months ago, is to return to the Coliseum to assist the Leigh coach Tony Benson as a coaching consultant.

The club have called a press conference this morning and hope that Millward, who has been unwell recently, will be able to assist their preparations for Sunday's Northern Rail Cup semi-final against Workington. The controversial Australian first joined Leigh in 1998, taking them almost from bottom to top in the then First Division the following year.

St Helens lured him in 2000 and he won a string of trophies before being sacked for "gross misconduct" last year. Wigan appointed him soon after, but he was sacked again. He is in line to return to Australia as assistant coach of the North Queensland Cowboys next season.

Leigh have also signed the former St Helens forward Tim Jonkers on loan from Salford for the season.

Halifax, who sacked Anthony Farrell this week, have appointed Martin Hall as their new coach.