WARRINGTON Wolves now must find a new academy head coach to bring their young talent through.

Paul Anderson, who has been in the post for the past three seasons, is now confirmed to have left the club.

The former Huddersfield Giants boss had been combining his role with The Wire with the position of England Knights head coach, but now he has joined the RFL on a full-time basis.

As well as continuing to lead the Knights, Anderson will also take up a new role as Head of England Talent Pathways.

Stuart Barrow - the former Warrington reserves and under 19s coach - has been appointed to the same role for women's rugby league.

During his time at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Anderson has helped several of the club’s academy prospects break into the first team, including the likes of Josh Thewlis, Ellis Longstaff and Connor Wrench.

Now, chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick says a “thorough” search for someone to pick up the baton has begin.

“I’d like to pass on my best wishes to Paul for his new role with England and thank him for his time as Academy head coach,” he said.

“We’ve had a number of young players break through to the first team under him and I’m really excited about the next generation of players we have coming through our system.

“A thorough recruitment process is now underway to find the right person to lead and develop our Academy side going forward.”

The Wire had already made changes to their academy coaching team for 2022, with three-time Challenge Cup winner Tyrone McCarthy returning to the club as an assistant coach for the club’s youngsters.

As the search for his replacement begins, Anderson reflected on his time with the club having been brought in by head of youth Peter Riding.

“I would like to thank Warrington Wolves and Peter Riding for giving me the opportunity to work with a lot of good people and to coach the next generation of Wire players over the last three years,” he said.

“This is something I have thoroughly enjoyed and will look back on with great memories.

“My job now is simply to help England win a World Cup.

“I genuinely believe this is something we can achieve in 2022 - beyond this, it will be achieved through a connected pathway from Academy to Knights then on to Shaun Wane and his senior team.”