Gold Coast are expected to name their new NRL coach later on Tuesday with Justin Holbrook the hot tip to secure the position.

Holbrook has enjoyed great success since joining English Super League team St Helens in 2017, winning last year’s minor premiership.

The Saints are currently first on the Super League ladder, 10 points ahead of Warrington after 23 matches.

The 43-year-old had an unspectacular 17-game NRL career at Newcastle, Penrith and Sydney Roosters from 1999 to 2002 before moving into coaching.

After stints on the staff of Canterbury, St George Illawarra and Parramatta, Holbrook linked up with Trent Robinson at the Roosters in 2014 as an assistant.

He quit Bondi and moved to St Helens in 2017 where he has won 57 of 72 games.

Former NRL player Lachlan Coote, who is currently playing at St Helens, told News Corp Australia he’d be gutted if the Titans landed Holbrook.

“I’ve been lucky in my career to work with some outstanding coaches but Justin is on another level,” Coote said.

“To be honest, I will be filthy if he leaves St Helens to go to the Titans because I’ve only been here one year and I don’t want to lose him as a coach.”

The other main candidate for the position is Queensland State of Origin coach Kevin Walters, who was considered the early favourite but appears to have been surpassed by Holbrook.

The 51-year-old had previously said he wouldn’t be applying for the position after Garth Brennan was sacked earlier this month, and wants to continue in his role with the Maroons after losing the past two Origin series.