Paul Deacon leaves Wigan

Wigan have confirmed that assistant coach Paul Deacon has left the club, in order to coach at a rugby union club.

Deacon, a former Great Britain iternational half-back, has been on the coachin staff at the Warriors since he retired from playing in 2011.

He will now try to teach rugby union players how to attack and score tries at Sale Sharks, where he will be the attack/skills coach.

“I would like to thank everyone at Wigan who has helped me both as a player and as a coach throughout my time at the club,” he said.

“It really was a dream come true to play and then coach my hometown club and I have enjoyed every minute.

“I want so say a special thank you to Shaun Wane who has helped me immensely with the transition from player to coach and for the way he has dealt with this news.

“I will be sad to leave but this is an opportunity that I felt I couldn’t turn down and I am looking forward to learning a new game and the challenges that will bring.”