Noble's assistant Jon Sharp, the Huddersfield head coach, could be a candidate to succeed him, along with Paul Cullen (Warrington), Karl Harrison (Salford) and John Kear (Wakefield).

BBC: McRae coached in the first nine seasons of Super League

Wakefield coach John Kear was naturally disappointed at missing out on a trip to Wembley but refused to blame Danny Brough's inconsistent goal-kicking for the loss.

BBC: Radford ready to shock St Helens

With a weakened squad, and expected to suffer the league's statutory six-point penalty for any club going into administration, the loss of Obst, Ferguson and now Millard - all three of whom started in Saturday's season opener against local rivals Castleford at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff - are a huge blow to Wakefield coach John Kear.

BBC: Millard latest to exit Wakefield for Catalan Dragons