There’s been another Championship coaching change with a former Warrington Wolves stalwart resigning just seven rounds into the season.
Whilst Super League has only seen one coaching change, it’s been a turbulent season so far in the Championship in that respect with North Wales Crusaders, Salford RLFC and Whitehaven all seeing their coaches leave for one reason or other.
Anthony Murray, who left Whitehaven citing changing circumstances, landed the assistant role at Swinton Lions but after the Lions’ winless run continued this past weekend, he’s now been promoted to head coach after the resignation of Paul Wood.
Sunday saw Swinton lose 74-6 to Doncaster with that defeat being the Lions’ seventh loss in seven Championship games, something that led to the club confirming the departure of ex-Warrington Wolves man Paul Wood from his role as head coach.
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Champinship club confirm coaching change
Wood, who played over 330 games for Warrington Wolves, was appointed head coach of Swinton ahead of the 2025 season but he’s now resigned and replaced by his assistant Anthony Murray.
A statement from Swinton explained the situation: “Unfortunately, results in the 2026 season have not progressed as we would all have hoped. Following yesterday’s defeat, Paul took the decision to tender his resignation, which the board has reluctantly accepted.”
Wood was thanked for his services and professionalism with the statement ending by confirming that a new head coach would be ‘communicated as soon as possible’.
That communication came just a few hours later with Anthony Murray promoted to the role of head coach.
On the appointment, Murray said: “I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to coach Swinton Lions – a club with 160 years of proud tradition – and representing the heart and passion of rugby league in the Greater Manchester area.
“I’m looking forward to building a team that reflects the core values of this club which have stood since 1866, and one that the players, staff, and supporters can be proud of.”
