Lowes Closes in on Permanent Role for Wolves

Warrington have dropped the biggest hint yet that James Lowes will be permanently appointed as their coach, possibly before their next Super League game at home to Leeds tomorrow week.

The former Bradford and Great Britain hooker, who had been assistant to Paul Cullen, stepped into the role on a caretaker basis when Cullen resigned in late May and consecutive victories over Harlequins and Hull KR were enough to persuade the Wolves to leave him in charge for the rest of the season.

But Lowes has extended his impressive start to a record of six wins from seven matches, lifting Warrington to fourth in the table with a three-point cushion over Wigan, and Andy Gatcliffe, the club's chief executive, suggested yesterday they are ready to appoint him long-term. "James has certainly thrown his hat into the ring, the players speak very highly of him, and he is very much being considered with the other candidates," he said.

Lowes' appointment ahead of several Australian contenders, led by the Canterbury Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes, will leave six of the current 12 Super League clubs in British hands next season, although there will be a majority of Australian coaches in the competition because Celtic Crusaders and Salford, the two National League clubs who were this week awarded three-year licenses, have Aussies at the helm - John Dixon and Shaun McRae respectively.

The Crusaders are set to confirm Marshall Chalk, a powerful Canberra Raiders centre, as their first recruit for the Super League, while Castleford are hoping to sign Rangi Chase, a former New Zealand A scrum-half or hooker, from the St George-Illawarra Dragons. Lowes is looking closer to home, with Warrington's owner Simon Moran confirming yesterday that the Wolves are keen to sign Wigan's hooker Mickey Higham when his contract expires.