QUITE where Francis Cummins' next permanent job will be remains to be seen – but he has certainly not been sitting idle since leaving the Bulls last June.

Earlier this year, he began working as a backs coach at rugby union outfit Yorkshire Carnegie.

It is a position for which he receives expenses only, although it could lead to a paid full-time role.

Last week, the 38-year-old spent the day with England's elite squad at Pennyhill Park, absorbing as much information as possible.

It was typical Cummins.

During his time at Bradford, he spent a day at Liverpool's training ground alongside Brendan Rodgers.

Since he was sacked by Marc Green last year, there have been visits to Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Sale Sharks and Bath Rugby.

On his role at Carnegie, Cummins said: "I'm enjoying it. It's a different challenge from where I was as head coach in rugby league.

"I'm mainly working with the backs on their passing, lines of running and the defensive side of the game.

"There are aspects of union I've obviously got to learn. But the fundamentals in both codes are the same and there are definitely transferable skills.

"They are paying me expenses to get to games and training, so it's a bit of a trial. I'm building up experience but there is nothing guaranteed.

"I have to build up the possibilities of being employed by either code. At the end of the season, I don't know what's going to happen."

A turbulent campaign at Carnegie saw Gary Mercer – Jimmy Lowes' successor – ushered out of Headingley before Tommy McGee was put in charge, only to be shown the door earlier this month.

It left Cummins helping legendary former British and Irish Lions boss Sir Ian McGeechan to temporarily hold the fort.

Bryan Redpath was appointed as the club's new permanent head coach last week but Cummins is on board until the end of the season at least.

"I've agreed to do it until then, which is the back end of April, but it could be longer if Carnegie reach the play-offs," he explained.

"Bryan and I have had an initial chat but he has plenty to get through with retention and recruitment for next year before we can talk about full employment.

"The club is on my doorstep and I've not been employed since leaving Bradford, so it's something I've got to obviously consider if a permanent position arose there. It's important in my position to never say never to anything."

Cummins' contacts, knowledge base and, subsequently, his job prospects remain strong.

His friendship with England boss Stuart Lancaster saw him spend a day in camp with the squad last week in the build-up to their Six Nations win over France.

"It was a good experience and I was looking at it from a coach's point of view, where you want to try and make things better," said Cummins.

"I spent a full day down there and it was obviously a busy time for them and particularly Stuart, but we had a good chat. I was in all the meetings and the review session from the week before and preview for the France game.

"It was good to see how an international side does it and pick Stuart's brains and talk about where the game was, where it's going and what it needs.

"There were a lot of familiar faces – Andy Farrell, who I've played with and against, Danny Care, Luther Burrell, who I know from Leeds, and obviously Sam Burgess.

"We had a family holiday in Australia over Christmas and met Luke and the Burgess twins, so it was good to see Sam last week.

"The national media are probably desperate for him to fail in union, but he's going to succeed because that's just the way he is.

"I believe I can do a good job in rugby union. I believe I can in rugby league too.

"But the industry is a lot smaller in league and who knows where or when the next job will become available, or if I'll get a chance to put in for that?"

Cummins, whose case against the Bulls for wrongful dismissal is set to be heard in the coming weeks, remains on the look-out for opportunities in both codes but rugby league is undoubtedly where his heart lies.

"I reckon within a month, some openings – nothing specifically for me – might arise in rugby league when the pressure starts cranking up," he said.

"A lot of teams are frightened to death of going in that middle eight. But I'm confident I can do the job, wherever it is, I really am."