Warrington's long-serving Paul Cullen has been appointed full-time coach of Northern Ford Premiership club Whitehaven.

Cullen has quit Wilderspool after almost 20 years with the club, initially as a player and more recently as right-hand man to head coach Darryl Van de Velde.

He succeeds New Zealander Kevin Tamati at the Recreation Ground.

"There is a great passion for rugby league in Whitehaven and a wealth of talent in the area," said 37-year-old Cullen. "It will be my job to harness that talent."

Van de Velde added: "Paul has been a loyal and dedicated servant and has done a superb job at the club.

"Now he needs to coach his own team and this will provide a new challenge and a good opportunity for him."