Codling stuns Titans with an early exit

The 39-year-old one-time England international only took charge of the Clifton Lane club in November.

He signed a contract until the end of next season but a regular commute from his family home in Surrey, among other things, was proving too strenuous.

Codling will continue to lead the squad in the remaining fixtures in the Championship and he will assist in the rebuilding for next season.

Codling said: “I made the right decision to come to Rotherham and I believe I made a significant difference to the club.

“I will continue to put 100 per cent into the club between now and the end of the season.

“It is with great regret that I have resigned but sometimes things do not work out no matter how much you wish them to do so.”

Titans director of rugby Martin Jenkinson said: “Alex has been a breath of fresh air. In the short time he has been here, he has taken our playing set-up to a completely new level and we are already seeing the benefits.

“It is a great shame that the logistics involved mean that Alex is unable to continue travelling.

“We intend to build on the foundations that Alex has put down.”

Rotherham will now begin the process of appointing a new head coach, just four months after naming Codling as successor to Andre Bester.