James Lowes leaves Yorkshire Carnegie

Yorkshire Carnegie have confirmed that head coach James Lowes has left the club by mutual agreement with immediate effect.

Lowes re-joined the club two years ago as assistant to Bryan Redpath before becoming Head Coach again last summer.

A former Great Britain rugby league international, Lowes enjoyed an impressive debut season in 2013-14 with Carnegie in his first head coach role in Rugby Union creating an exciting brand of rugby for home supporters.

He was tempted back to league to take up the helm at his former club Bradford Bulls, where he had won every honour as a player, however, he returned to Yorkshire Carnegie in 2016 as assistant to Bryan Redpath and took over the reins last season from the former Scotland international.

Carnegie finished sixth last season in the Greene King IPA Championship and Lowes and the club have now decided to part company ahead of the start of pre-season for the new campaign.

Newly appointed director of rugby Chris Stirling will lead the rugby side of the business moving ahead with forwards coach Steve Boden promoted to Head Coach for the new season.

Commenting on the decision Lowes said, "I would like to thank the staff, players and supporters at Yorkshire Carnegie for their efforts during my time in charge. I have had two very enjoyable years since coming back to the club and will always keep an interest in the team. I was proud of the players last season for what they achieved in tough circumstances at times and I wish them all the very best for next season."

Director of rugby Chris Stirling: