LONDON Broncos have appointed Australian Andrew Henderson as their new head coach with immediate effect.

The 35-year-old, who joined the club from Sheffield Eagles as assistant coach at the end of last season, has been in charge of the club since Joey Grima left for family reasons three weeks ago.

Former Leeds prop forward Danny Ward has been appointed as Henderson's assistant, combining the role with his current job as under-19s coach, but there is no word yet on whether former Great Britain boss Brian Noble will join the club in a director of rugby-type role.

Henderson said: "The role has come earlier than expected but I don't think there's ever a right time to become head coach. It's more when the right opportunity is presented.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for me here at the London Broncos. I believe the current squad has a lot of unfilled potential and I'm hoping my staff and I will see the best of the squad in the coming weeks and months."

London, relegated from Super League at the end of last season, have won just two of their opening five games in the Kingstone Press Championship and fell at the first hurdle in the Challenge Cup.

Henderson played for Sheffield, Castleford, Gateshead, Barrow and Balmain Tigers in a professional career spanning 14 years and represented Scotland, courtesy of his Glasgwegian father, in the 2008 and 2013 World Cups.