RICHARD Agar, who was assistant to Tony Smith at Warrington Wolves, is back in coaching after replacing ex-Wire head coach James Lowes on Leeds Rhinos' backroom staff.

Agar, 47, who joined Leeds in the autumn as head of player and coach development, becomes assistant to head coach Dave Furner after the club released Lowes with immediate effect to allow him to take up a new position outside rugby league.

A former half-back with Featherstone, Widnes and Dewsbury, Agar coached France at the 2013 World Cup and left his role as Warrington assistant coach in 2017 to take up a similar role in Australia with St George Illawarra.

Lowes, who returned to the Rhinos last summer as first-team coach, looks set to return to rugby union, where he has previous experience with Yorkshire Carnegie.

His departure from rugby league creates a vacancy on England head coach Wayne Bennett's backroom staff.

In a statement, Leeds director of rugby Kevin Sinfield said: "Richard Agar will join the first-team coaching staff combined with his role as head of player and coach development.

"Richard is a vastly experienced coach and will be a great addition to the coaching staff."

Warrington Wolves players guesting for other clubs suffered defeats at the weekend.

Pat Moran made his debut for Sheffield Eagles against against Toronto Wolfpack at London Skolars’ New River Stadium at the start of his month's loan.

But Sheffield suffered their second loss of the 2019 Betfred Championship, 40-10, with ex-Wire winger Matty Russell touching down twice.

Another former Wolves player, hooker Andy Ackers, got in on the try-scoring act too.

Meanwhile, Wire squadman Ellis Robson came off the bench and scored a try while on dual registration with Rochdale Hornets, but the team fell to a 48-24 home loss to Halifax.