Castleford Tigers head coach Ian Millward has been granted compassionate leave following the sudden death of his 19-year-old son Robbie.
Millward, the former North Queensland Cowboys head coach, who also guided St Helens to Super League and World Club Challenge success during his tenure there, received the news of his son’s passing while travelling home following the Tigers’ 28-20 defeat by Catalan Dragons last weekend.
A statement from the Millward family said: “On behalf of all our family, we would like to thank everybody for their kind messages of support, especially the Rugby League family from both the UK and Australia.
“The messages have been of comfort in this time of great sadness.
“Robbie was a healthy young boy who died from a condition called Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, which comprises of a massive heart attack. The sudden nature of his death is making it even harder for us to deal with.”
Assistant coach Stuart Donlan will take charge of Castleford indefinitely, with Wigan making the trip to West Yorkshire on Sunday.