Bradford & Bingley will be without their director of rugby Henry Paul for a number of weeks.

The former England international has landed a job providing high-tech software to rugby clubs.

The Bees’ forwards coach Ronnie Kelly, who is taking over the first team in the interim, said: “Henry’s job is based in Leeds but he is having to go to Australia for five weeks.

“He should be back for the game at Billingham on March 29 and, when he is about, should still be available to take training on a Tuesday and Thursday and watch the matches on a Saturday.”

Loyal servant Kelly, who is now in his fourth spell in charge of the club’s elite, will be helped by fellow stalwarts in Phil Greaves and Stuart Dixon.

The first task for the trio as Bradford & Bingley seek to avoid relegation from SSE National League Three North, is a tough test at Stockport, who are equal second.

“Two points would be nice but we are going there to win,” said Kelly. “We know that we need three or four wins from our last seven matches to survive.”

Kirk Arundale returns at scrum half tomorrow, with Richard Scull reverting to fly half, Richard Tafa resuming in the centre having come back from Tonga, while Harrogate newcomer Jordan Davies is on the wing.