HEAD coach Alex Codling is to leave Premiership leaders Ebbw Vale at the end of the season because commuting from his London home is becoming too much of a strain.

Codling is to depart the Steelmen to become director of sport at Trinity School in Croydon, where he first played rugby, even rebuffing offers to work at Guinness Premiership sides for the position.

And he will do so after a remarkable spell in the Vale hot seat, leading them from Premiership strugglers to pacesetters since taking charge in January 2006.

But the once-capped English lock has been racking up 1,800 miles a week travelling to and from Eugene Cross Park and it has begun to take its toll.

"It's a decision I make with a heavy heart but it's something that I had to do," said Codling. "In a different scenario I would have loved to have carried on but the travelling is putting a tremendous strain on me and it's something that I just can't sustain.

"Making the journey three or four times a week along with having a job is too much and is having an effect on my family life.

"I have absolutely loved it here and have been very lucky to have the job. I have a huge passion for the game and my time here has been very rewarding.

"I'm delighted with the progress the side has made, we've moved forward and the credit for that goes to the players and (assistant coach) Pat Horgan and (fitness coach) Gareth Walton.

"I look back with a great deal of pride at what we have achieved in a short space of time."

The work doesn't stop for Codling as he attempts to make sure he leaves Vale in a healthy position to carry their superb form of this season into next.

But with Steelmen still in the running for a league and cup double, the focus is on ensuring they finish the season with the same effort and verve that they have shown to date.

However, true to form, Codling is refusing to think of the Premiership crown, despite his side sitting pretty at the head of the table.

"I have never mentioned the title," he said. "But my whole focus is to finish the season strongly. The boys have worked really hard and it's important that we don't waste the effort we have put in.

"I need to put things in place for next season and I don't want to just finish and wash my hands of it. There are plans for next season and there needs to be some continuity."

With Codling leaving it could well be the case that Vale look to promote from within, with highly-rated Horgan, who arrived from Neath in the summer, a possibility.

"I certainly think that Pat is someone that Marcus (Russell, chairman) is looking at and he is an outstanding coach," said Codling.

"He has enjoyed his time at Ebbw Vale and it's been great for him to cut his teeth outside of Neath.

"He has shown that he is anything but a one-trick pony."