HE probably didn't realise it at the time but Doncaster Dragons coach St John Ellis blazed a trail for all other sporting bosses to follow this week writes Chris Hall

By actively launching the pre-match hype for Sunday's Challenge Cup clash with mighty Wigan -- claiming their stadium will be a 'House of Pain' for the holders -- he unwittingly crossed the line into the game's PR wing.

Warriors boss Stuart Raper admitted in a press conference this week that "sometimes you are part coach, part marketing manager trying to get bums on seats."

And maybe that multi-skilling could set a trend for other coaches outside of the game to latch on to.

I, for one, would love to see Clive Woodward scrubbing his players' boots after England's latest Six Nations stroll or Sir Alex Ferguson hoovering up after the prawn sandwich brigade in the executive lounges at Old Trafford.

It would save paying another wage and you could even sell tickets to gloat at their undignified new role. Everyone's a winner.