NEW Warrington first team coach Richard Agar is looking forward to leading the Wolves into rugby league’s new era alongside close friend Tony Smith next season.

Agar, who is replacing departed first team coaches Richard Marshall and Willie Poching, said: “I hope it’s going to be an exciting time for me at Warrington.

“It’s a big change for me because I’m moving into the area and there are big expectations at Warrington. There is the new league structure coming in next year as well and I think it’s a very good time to be going into one of the strongest clubs in the game.”

The former Hull FC and Wakefield head coach resigned from the Wildcats post in June after a difficult start to their 2014 campaign. A week later the opportunity arose to work alongside long-term friend Tony Smith at the Wolves in 2015 and admits working with the Warrington head coach was an opportunity he could not turn down.

“I’ll give the greatest respect to Wakefield because I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. At the same time, though, I made the decision to leave and thankfully an opening for me has materialised working alongside a guy who I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for.

“I think he’s a great coach and I’ve had a fairly long-standing relationship with him personally and professionally.”

Agar is currently preparing the French national team ahead of this month’s 2014 European Cup where his side will compete with Scotland, Ireland and Wales for a place in the 2016 Four Nations series.

He said about the experience of being head coach of France: “I’ve enjoyed coaching France and it has been a wonderful experience.

“I’ve enjoyed trying to learn the language, the culture and certainly the people involved. The management are super guys and I’ve had a terrific relationship with the playing squad.”

Agar led the side to the quarter finals at last year’s World Cup and is hoping to guide France to victory in the European Cup before linking up with the Wolves in pre-season.

“The prize is a pretty big one and there are a couple of sides to that. The prize at the end of the day for those guys is to cement their place within the international set-up with the prospect of playing in a Four Nations at the end of it as well.”

Making the step back from head coach to first team coach represents a new challenge for Agar next season, and the former Dewsbury and Widnes player admits that becoming a Super League head coach in the future is not something he is focusing on right now.

“It’s not something I toss and turn at night thinking about. I’m not thinking too far ahead.

“My mind is focused on doing a great job for Tony at Warrington and hopefully achieving some success and playing in some big finals. Whatever comes after that, as a head coach or an assistant, we will see.”