FORMER Bulls head coach Francis Cummins has left Yorkshire Carnegie by mutual agreement ahead of Sunday’s Championship home clash with Cornish Pirates.

The 38-year-old joined last season on a consultancy basis before becoming a permanent member of Bryan Redpath’s coaching team in 2015-16.

His current contract expires in May and, with the club unable to offer an extension at this stage, Carnegie have agreed to release Cummins to allow him to look at other options.

Redpath will now take sole responsibility for the club’s backs as head coach and there are no plans to add to the existing coaching team for the remainder of the season which Carnegie hope will end with them earning a first return to the Premiership in five years.

They are currently fourth in the Championship having suffered a disappointing 22-20 loss at London Scottish last weekend.

“We would like to thank Francis for his work with the club over the last 18 months,” said Carnegie’s executive chairman Sir Ian McGeechan.

“At the present time, we are unable to offer a longer deal to him so we have agreed to the request to release him to look at other options. We wish him all the best for the future.”