The 43-year-old Yorkshireman has taken up a full-time job as the defensive coach of the French team after becoming disillusioned with the 13-a-side code.

The recent dismissal of John Kear at Huddersfield-Sheffield has left Super League without a single English coach, and Ellis feels the situation is tragic.

"I've been involved in rugby league all over the world since I was 16 and I've been waiting about for quite a long time to get a job in England," Ellis said.

Imports

Ellis was briefly assistant coach to Kear in the first year of Super League at Paris St Germain and spoke of his concern with foreign imports.

"I've spoken with Andy Kelly and Neil Kelly and a lot of the young English coaches who said there were no jobs for us any more. They advised me to take the opportunity in rugby union.

"If you haven't got an Australian accent, then you struggle completely.

"David Plange did a very good job at Hunslet and Neil Kelly does consistently well at Dewsbury, but they aren't being given a chance."

Ellis has enjoyed considerable success in coaching spells in Australia, France and in England with Loughborough University and Hemel Hempstead, but has now pledged his future to rugby union.

"I turned down Keighley last season to join the Racing Club of France in Paris and since then everything has gone through the roof," he said.

"I've only spent 18 months in rugby union and I've got probably one of the best jobs you can get.

"I feel people in rugby union are a lot more open to change. If you have a good track record, they will accept you."