FRANCIS Cummins has been named as part of a new-look coaching team at rugby union outfit Yorkshire Carnegie following the departure of head coach Tommy McGee.

The former Bradford boss has been out of work since being sacked by the Bulls last June but has been working with Carnegie’s backs on an informal basis in recent weeks.

The 38-year-old was today confirmed as part of a reshuffled coaching team headed up by legendary former British and Irish Lions chief Sir Ian McGeechan for the remainder of the season.

McGee had been in charge of first-team matters since the departure of head coach Gary Mercer, who was appointed as successor to Jimmy Lowes last August.

Following the departure of McGee, the new coaching team will be headed by McGeechan and he will be assisted by Andy Rock, Dave Baldwin and Cummins.

Yorkshire Carnegie director of Rugby Chris Gibson said the club would look to appoint an “experienced Premiership coach” as McGee’s permanent successor as the Leeds outfit chase a return to the elite next season.

Following a turbulent campaign, Carnegie are way off the pace in the hunt for promotion, having won only five of their 16 league games to lie ninth in the Greene King IPA Championship table.

Sale coach Bryan Redpath, who was previously in charge of Gloucester, has already been linked with the head coach's position at Carnegie.

Gibson said: “Going forward the club have decided to recruit the services of an experienced Premiership coach to help us achieve our immediate ambitions.

"As Tommy is out of contract at the end of this current season, we have both agreed it is better to make an announcement now so that he can consider alternative options for next season and beyond.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to thank Tommy for his efforts during his time here as a player and a coach and wish him all the very best for the future.”

Cummins has visited Sale Sharks and Bath on fact-finding missions since leaving Bradford and spoken of his belief that his attacking coaching skills could prove very useful in rugby union.

He will be on duty for Carnegie again on Sunday when they host Bedford Blues at Headingley.