SHEFFIELD EAGLES have appointed former Great Britain scrum-half Ryan Sheridan as their new coach.

The 51-year-old ex-Eagles player who this year had a spell in interim charge at Catalans Dragons and previously worked on the staff at Featherstone Rovers, Castleford Tigers, Warrington Wolves and London Broncos succeeds Craig Lingard.

Sheridan, who started his playing career at Sheffield between 1992 and 1996 and also played for Leeds Rhinos, Widnes Vikings, Castleford and Dewsbury Rams as well as Ireland, spent three seasons on the Catalans staff.

“This club gave me an opportunity and a start all those years ago, they gave me what was to become an unbelievable journey in Rugby League,” he said.

“This is a new journey for me now, after speaking with (director) Jeremy Levine about his vision for the Eagles and his passion to see the club grow and become successful, it was something I wanted to be a part of.

“To become the coach of the Eagles is a huge honour for me. I can’t wait to get started and help the club move forward into an exciting future ahead.”

Sheffield finished seventh in the Championship this year and progressed to stage two of the play-offs in what was Lingard’s second season in charge.