Rotherham Titans in no rush to replace Anthony Posa

And, says director of rugby Martin Jenkinson, the experienced Kiwi has left with his full sympathy. 

Posa was dismissed just before Christmas after a poor first half of the season which produced just four wins and plunged Rotherham into a relegation fight in National One.

Appointed last summer after the surprise and sudden departure of previous head coach Joe Barker, the former Yorkshire U20s boss arrived with a good CV at county and club level.

Jenkinson said: “It was a difficult appointment for Anthony, coming in so late, but we felt we had to do something to galvanise this season.

“I have a heck of a lot of sympathy and unfortunately Anthony has taken the brunt. You could argue that's the business coaches are in but equally it is not very nice.

“We will not look for a permanent replacement in the near future.”

Forwards coach Matt Smith, who had worked as joint head coach in tandem with Posa and overseen by Jenkinson, will continue preparing the team.

Rotherham are at home to Plymouth tomorrow needing to start closing the nine-point gap to safety and make up for a 49-7 reverse at Sale FC last time out.

Added Jenkinson: “We had a heart to heart after the Sale game. There are still 14 matches left and it is still for us to sort. The next team above us, Birmingham Moseley, have now lost seven straight games. 

“Our next opponents are a big outfit with some huge players but we're going to have to front up and deal with it. There is enough ability in our squad to win this game. We just have to apply it.”

Kick-off is 2pm.