Linnane quits Hull KR

Steve Linnane has resigned as the coach of Hull Kingston Rovers to spend more time with his family in Australia.

Linnane, who was half-way through a two-year contract, returned from a trip home in the close season and informed the board of his decision.

"Steve has been away from his wife and two children for 12 months," said Rovers chief executive Nick Halafihi.

"We have just started our pre-season training and the players are shell-shocked a little bit."

Halafihi added: "Fair play to the man, he came back to tell us when he could have picked up the phone."

Linnane's assistant, former Wigan prop Harvey Howard, is favourite to pick up the reigns at the National League One club.

"He's in the reckoning," said Halafihi.

"But there are other people we're talking with. I'd like to think we'll be in a position to appoint sooner rather than later."