One in, one out at Hull KR

Hull KR have announced the departure of James Webster as assistant coach, and have confirmed Willie Poching as his replacement.

Webster has been part of the coaching staff at Craven Park for the past four years, which included taking over as interim head coach on two occasions.

He has the left the club to pursue another coaching opportunity, which is understood to be the successor to Ryan Carr at Featherstone, who is expected to join Leeds Rhinos on a permanent basis.

Poching returns to Rovers for the first time since 2016, having recently spent time as assistant coach at Salford.

He will join up with former KR winger David Hodgson as Tony Smith’s assistants in 2020.

Head coach Smith said: “I still have a great relationship with James, we remain close and always will be. We’re in regular contact and I’m very grateful for the short time that I have spent with him.

“He has been fantastic for me, and terrific in terms of his knowledge and coaching ability. He’s been incredibly supportive, loyal and honest towards me and I know he’s very passionate about Hull KR.

“But I also understand that he wants to further his career as a head coach and feels that other opportunities have come up for him in that respect. It was with some regret and reluctance that James has left but at the same time it was the right thing for the progress of his career.

“I coached Willie to begin with and then he progressed to be my assistant at Leeds and I also had him at Warrington too. I have now asked him to become part of the coaching team here, which is of great value to me.

“He knows the fabric of the place and loved his time here. He is very passionate about it and he is aware of the style of coach that I am and the style of play we desire here.

“He is very capable and a very competent coach that can deliver the right kind of training to help our players improve.”