Carney to join Warrington backroom staff

Former Wigan and Great Britain winger Brian Carney is to stay on with Warrington - but not as a player.

The 33-year-old dual-code Irishman signed a short-term contract with the Wolves this summer but made only four appearances before breaking his arm at Leeds in August.

Now he is to join the Warrington backroom staff on a part-time basis as the club's first player welfare and services officer.

"I really enjoyed my short playing time here at the Wolves and am very much looking forward to my new role," said Carney, who is a television pundit.

"The main aim will be to implement a welfare programme from scratch, one that will be used for a long time into the future.

"A role such as this is long overdue in rugby league clubs and I am excited about being involved with a club pioneering a designated welfare officer position."

Warrington head coach Tony Smith added: "Brian has a lot to give to the game. I'm pleased he will be staying with us in the future and adding his wealth of knowledge and experience to the club."

Carney, a one-time Gaellic footballer who was spotted by Gateshead Thunder in 1999 playing student rugby league in Dublin, won the last of his 14 Great Britain caps in the 2006 Tri-Nations Series, after which he spent two seasons in rugby union with Munster.