England coach Shaun Wane signs new contract

Initially appointed by the Rugby Foobtall League in January until the end of next year’s Rugby League World Cup, Wane’s extension will take him up to the end of 2022.

He was due to lead England into action in a three-Test home series with world champions Australia this autumn but that has been cancelled due to Covid and there is still uncertainty about who they might play as warm-up games ahead of the tournament in 2021.

The former Wigan Warriors chief had been linked with a switch to the NRL in recent months and, therefore, the governing body has moved to make sure they head off any prospect of that by giving him further security here.

RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer said: “Shaun has made a great impression within the RFL and across the sport in general, and I am delighted that he will be staying on beyond the 2021 World Cup.

“He has proved himself to be both energetic and versatile in difficult times and has adapted to what is in front of him.

“We are well aware that Shaun has recently attracted the attention of several NRL clubs and wanted to ensure that he had enough security that kept him absolutely focussed on the job in hand.

“Like all of us Shaun is bitterly disappointed not to be facing the Kangaroos this autumn, but he is not letting this short-term setback stand in the way of his long-term aim to make England the number one side in the world.

“Shaun’s passion for England Rugby League is matched by meticulous planning and preparation, and come autumn 2021 there will not be a better-prepared international side at the World Cup.”

The global pandemic has not prevented Wane from developing all-important relationships with prospective England players, with digital technology helping to maintain regular contact.

Now that the season has restarted the England coach will be attending live matches, and also visiting club training sessions to strengthen lines of communication with players and club coaches alike.

During the lockdown period, Wane appointed all the key personnel to the England’s Senior programme, including Hull FC’s Andy Last and St Helens’ Paul Wellens as assistant coaches.

He has also been able to share his own experience and coaching philosophy with staff members from all the various England Rugby League programmes, both within the England Performance Unit and the Community Lions, and coaches at all levels from across the country.

Wane, 55, insisted: “It’s an honour to be England Head Coach so I didn’t have to think too hard about extending my contract.

“Like everybody else I’ve missed the live action but I’ve it’s given me extra time to talk with players, build relationships, share ideas and let them know what they need to do to make the England team.

“Now Super League is back up and running I’m excited to see the players back on the field, doing what they do best and developing the winning mentality needed for World Cup success.”

Wane was head coach of his hometown club from 2011-18, during which time Wigan won three of the five Super League Grand Finals they reached, lifted the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 2013 and were crowned World Club Champions in 2017.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor