Brian McDermott appointed new Toronto coach

Toronto have confirmed the appointment of Brian McDermott as the club’s new head coach.

The former Harlequins, Leeds Rhinos and USA boss takes over the reins from Paul Rowley, who left the Wolfpack earlier in the week.

McDermott won four Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups and a World Club Challenge in his time at Leeds and he is delighted to be back involved with rugby league after being sacked by the Rhinos in July.

He said: “After being at the Rhinos for so long, I always knew I couldn’t just roll into any other club so easily.

“Toronto Wolfpack offers a challenge and ambition that not many other clubs have, already demonstrating this with how they’ve gone about getting to this stage.

“I’m excited on being a part of something that could genuinely be a game changer for rugby league in the UK.”

Wolfpack’s director of rugby, Brian Noble, commented: “We are delighted to bring in a head coach of Brian’s calibre, who we believe can lead us to the Super League.

“Brian is a world class coach and we are extremely excited that he has come on board with the Wolfpack.

“His track record in the game speaks for itself and having known Brian for many years, I know he has all the right attributes to take the club forward.”

McDermott will be one of many new faces at Toronto in 2019, alongside new signings Ricky Leutele, Jon Wilkin, Gadwin Springer, Bodene Thompson, Joe Mellor and Tom Olbison.