Millward ready to return to Leigh

(GETTY IMAGES)

Ian Millward is to return to the club where it all started for him in England by becoming Leigh's coach at the end of this season.

Millward has agreed a three-year deal at the club he first joined in 1999, before a glittering spell at St Helens and a shorter and less successful stint with Wigan. Since then, he has been assistant coach at the North Queensland Cowboys and the Canberra Raiders, but was keen to return to England, where his three children still live.

"Leigh gave me a start back in 1999 and I will endeavour to replay the club and its supporters with success in the coming seasons," he said. Leigh are currently ninth in the Co-operative Championship, but still have Super League aspirations. "He took Leigh from a lowly-placed club to the top four," said their chairman, Arthur Thomas, who confirmed that the club's current coach, Paul Rowley, will be staying on to work alongside Millward.

Hame Lauaki has been cleared to join Hull – after proving that he can speak English. The Tongan forward has been granted his visa after passing that test and will arrive as soon as his paper-work is completed. His debut for the club will be delayed by an arm injury.