Bradford and McNamara part company

Correspondent

Bradford have parted company with coach Steve McNamara by mutual consent.

McNamara, 38, was appointed as the new head coach of England earlier this season, but was to remain with the Bulls until the end of the season before taking up the role full-time.

However, after a disappointing run of form, the Bulls have agreed to release him from the remainder of his contract, enabling McNamara to focus on the end of season Four Nations Down Under.

A Bulls statement said: “The Club thanks Steve for his commitment and unstinting hard work as head coach since 2006. His legacy at the Club is a youth development system that will pay dividends for the Club for many years to come.”

Assistant coach Lee St Hilaire will take charge of Bradford until the end of the year, with the club expected to announce a new, permanent head coach for next season soon.