Super League champions Bradford Bulls today rubbished reports linking coach Brian Noble with the imminent vacancy at Australian club Newcastle Knights.

Noble, whose contract as Great Britain coach ends after this year's Tri-Nations Series in New Zealand and Australia, was reported in Sydney to have applied to succeed Michael Hagan when he leaves the Knights for Parramatta at the end of this season.

Noble, who jointly holds the record with Harlequins boss Tony Rea as the longest-serving coach in the British game, is contracted to the Bulls until the end of next season.

"I sat down with Brian this morning and he absolutely refutes having had any contact with the Knights," said Bradford chief executive Gareth Davies.

"He has made no secret that one day he would like to work in warmer climes but he is contracted this year and next year with us.

"Obviously Brian knows a lot of people in Australia because he has been in the game a long time but he hasn't spoke to them with regard to this coaching vacancy, nor have they spoken to him."

Noble, who has guided Bradford to the Super League Grand Final in each of his five seasons in charge, is currently preparing the Bulls for Friday's Carnegie World Club Challenge with Wests Tigers.

"It's flattering that Brian should be linked with the job," said the club's acting chairman Peter Hood.

"If you're the Great Britain coach and clearly one of the best coaches in the game, people are going to be interested in him, but he's very happy doing what he's doing."

Newcastle, who ended last season with the National Rugby League wooden spoon, enjoyed success under a previous Great Britain coach, Malcolm Reilly, who took them to a first Grand Final win in 1997.