Cummins gets his chance at Bradford

Bradford have appointed former Leeds winger Francis Cummins as their new head coach on a three-year contract.

Cummins, who was recommended for the job by his predecessor Mick Potter after he opted to return to Australia, was unveiled on Monday morning at a press conference at Odsal hosted by new owner Omar Khan and honorary chairman Gerry Sutcliffe.

Sutcliffe said: "We had no hesitation in taking Mick's recommendation to offer the job to Francis, and we are delighted he has accepted our offer."

It will be Cummins' first role as a head coach and, at 35, he will be the youngest in Super League when he takes charge of his first match in February. Catalan Dragons boss Trent Robinson is nine months younger but he is leaving at the end of the season to take charge of Sydney Roosters.

Cummins enjoyed a one-club career with Leeds, for whom he made 356 appearances from 1993 to 2005, and also won three caps for Great Britain. The former Ireland international cut his coaching teeth as an assistant at Leeds before being appointed as Potter's number two at the start of the 2010 season.

Cummins insists he is ready to make the step up to the role of head coach.

"I wouldn't be sat here if I didn't think I was ready," he said. "To be honest, I've been ready for a couple of years.

"I had to leave Leeds to further my education. It's been great working with Mick but I've always known I'm ready to have my team.

"I'm really happy with how it's come about. We are the bottom of the hill and we need to work really hard but I know it can be done.

"We had a real tough year but it's definitely made us as a group and it definitely helped me in my education as a coach. When you've got everyone working the right way, it's amazing what you can do. I'm looking forward to take the next step."