James Lowes is in talks to make a return to rugby league - after being spotted on the touchline of a pre-season game. Lowes, the former Great Britain international hooker, hasn't been in the rugby league coaching scene for several years, but it appears a return could be imminent.

The former Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls player hasn't had a coaching role in the 13-man code for around six years, having left the Rhinos' coaching staff in April 2019 and spending his time coaching rugby union since.

However, eagle-eyed Halifax Panthers supporters spotted Lowes at their pre-season game at Cougar Park on Sunday, sat alongside their new head coach, Kyle Eastmond. And it can now be revealed that Lowes has been helping out the former St Helens star during the off-season as he prepares for his first major coaching role.

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Sources at The Shay have confirmed to Rugby League Live that they are currently in talks with Lowes to make him a permanent assistant coach to Eastmond, who is still without a number two heading into the campaign after previous assistant Craig Huby left the club.

Lowes would give Eastmond plenty of experience to call upon during his rookie season as a head coach. Lowes started his coaching career as an assistant coach at Salford to a Fax Hall of Famer, Karl Harrison. He subsequently moved to Warrington and was made head coach in 2008, departing in 2009. He subsequently became an assistant coach at Leeds Rhinos under Brian McDermott.

After a move to rugby union, Lowes returned to league in June 2014, becoming head coach of Bradford Bulls ahead of their relegation from Super League. The following season, he guided Bradford to the Million Pound Game before losing to Wakefield, and he left the club the year after. Lowes then returned to Leeds in 2018, before departing a year later.

Lowes watched on as Fax thrashed Keighley 56-12, with winger James Saltonstall scoring four tries.

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