Francis Cummins named new Bradford Bulls head coach

Bradford Bulls have appointed Francis Cummins as their new head coach on a three-year contract.

The former Leeds winger, 35, served as an assistant to Mick Potter for the past two years.

Cummins, who was recommended for the job by Potter, will become the youngest head coach in Super League.

"We had no hesitation in taking Mick's recommendation to offer Francis the job and we are delighted he accepted," said Bulls chairman Gerry Sutcliffe.

Potter, who is returning to his native Australia, had been working for free, as had Cummins, at Odsal since July as the club battled to avoid liquidation.

He rejected a fresh contract offered by the club's new owners.

Bradford faced extinction earlier this summer after being hit with a winding-up order over unpaid tax.

But the club's financial future was secured after businessman Omar Khan led a consortium to buy the club from administrators in August.

That takeover was ratified by the Rugby Football League last week.

Former Great Britain international Cummins, who also represented Ireland, spent his entire club career with Leeds Rhinos, where he was later an assistant coach before moving to Bradford in 2010.

When Super League resumes in February, Cummins will be the youngest coach in the competition as Catalan Dragons boss Trent Robinson, who is nine months younger, is leaving for the NRL.