Maguire in the frame to take head coach job at Warrington

FORMER Wigan coach Michael Maguire is one of the favourites to take over at Warrington after the club confirmed Tony Smith will leave his post at the end of the Super League season.

Maguire led the Warriors to Grand Final victory at Old Trafford and repeated that success with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, but parted company with the NRL side last week.

The Wolves announced on Sunday that Smith is to leave ‘by mutual consent’, ending an eight-year association with the club.

The 50-year-old is the longest-serving coach in Super League and has led Warrington to three Challenge Cup successes and two League Leaders’ Shields since taking over from James Lowes in 2009, but the club have struggled this season.

After losing their first six matches of the year, the Wolves ended up in the Super 8 Qualifiers, but have so far gone unbeaten in that stage of the competition, securing their top-flight safety.

“I’ve really enjoyed my nine years at the club and feel that it’s now in the best interests of all for us to go in different directions,” said Smith.

“I’d like to think that while this has been a tough year, the club has progressed in the time I’ve been there in many ways, on and off the field, and is now in a position that means they can go on to bigger and greater things.”

Meanwhile, Salford forward Craig Kopczak has been named Wales captain for the forthcoming World Cup in Australia.