Betts joins McNamara and Agar in England running

FORMER Wigan and Great Britain forward Denis Betts has emerged as a surprise contender for the vacant England coaching job.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Mar 2010, 13:28 BST
Updated 29th Mar 2010, 13:29 BST

Betts, now on the backroom staff of rugby union Premiership club Gloucester, is thought to have been interviewed for the post vacated by Tony Smith in the wake of last November's Four Nations final.

Betts was appointed as head coach of Wigan in 2005 but was soon demoted to assistant to make way for the arrival of Ian Millward and resigned in November of that year after refusing to take charge of the club's Under-21s.

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Mike Ford and Shaun Edwards, two other former league internationals now plying their trade in the 15-man code, have also been linked with the job but have distanced themselves from the speculation.

Current Super League coaches Steve McNamara (Bradford), who was assistant to Smith, Richard Agar (Hull) and Brian McDermott (Harlequins) are also thought to have been interviewed by a four-man panel.

A spokesman for the Rugby Football League confirmed that interviews have taken place place but added: "It's an ongoing process and we have no comment to make until it is completed."

Related topics:EnglandGreat BritainWiganRichard AgarTONY SMITH