Former Great Britain chief Brian Noble who stepped down as Wigan coach after their defeat in the play-offs looks set to join Celtic Crusaders as their new coach on Wednesday. The former Wigan Warriors coach is to be named as successor to John Dixon.

Brian Noble

The Welsh club are also finalising a deal to reunite Noble with Jon Sharp to form a new Crusaders management team.

Jon Sharp

Australian Dixon parted company with the Crusaders after their bottom placed finish in their first season in Super League. Meanwhile Noble had been in the Wigan hotseat for three years when he was replaced by Australian Michael Maguire last month.

Now the 48-year-old coach, who won three World Club Championships and three Grand Finals in his five-year reign at Bradford Bulls between 2001 and 2006, is expected to take up a director of rugby role at the Crusaders. Whilst Sharp is set to become first-team coach.

The pair worked together from 2004 to 2006 for Great Britain and will bring a wealth of experience to the fledgling Super League club, who are moving from Bridgend to Newport from next season. Former Huddersfield boss Sharp is immediately available after being released early from his role as football manager at Hull last month and is expected to join Noble at Rodney Parade.

Former dual-code international Iestyn Harris continues to be linked with a coaching role at the Crusaders, although the new Wales coach has 12 months left on his contract as a player with Featherstone Rovers.