Hull FC coach Andy Last brought into England camp as Jamie Peacock stands down

The long-serving Black and Whites stalwart is an assistant at the East Yorkshire club but has been in interim charge following Lee Radford’s sacking last month.

Last, 38, and St Helens’ Paul Wellens are the two coaches Wane has chosen to work with him in the home Ashes series against Australia scheduled for this autumn as well as the 2021 World Cup.

Team manager Jamie Peacock has stood down and will be replaced by former Leeds, Castleford and Wakefield hooker Colin Maskill who played alongside Wane for Leeds from 1990 to 1993.

Last was actually appointed by the national team before those recent developments unfolded at his club but the news was only released by the RFL today.

On him and Wellens, Wane said: “Rugby knowledge made them stand out.

“They’re decent men and they work hard. They’re able to work with me and I’ve tasked them with a few things so hopefully they come up with the goods.

“I had long chats with the head coaches and their own clubs and the feedback I had was fantastic.

“I’ve always been impressed with Lasty and when I got appointed I was happy with the chance to get two smart rugby people on board.

“They are both vastly experienced, and they are the sort of characters I want to have involved with my England set-up.

“I’m confident we’ve got a great team together.”

Wane, who took over from Wayne Bennett as England head coach in February, had been planning to announce the appointments at a first gathering of players and support staff at Old Trafford last month.

That gathering was postponed because of the restrictions on movement and social interaction announced by the Government.

However, the duo joined a webinar this week at which Wane addressed coaches and support staff of all teams in the England Performance Unit about “Developing Winning Behaviour and Standards.”

Last is a former England Academy coach who has become a key figure at Hull since retiring as a player in 2004.

He initially worked as head of youth development before becoming assistant coach to Richard Agar and then Radford.

Last has previous senior international experience having been part of Scotland’s coaching staff at the 2017 World Cup.

Wellens, 40, earned 37 caps for England and Great Britain and claimed the domestic game’s three major individual honours – the Harry Sunderland Trophy, the Lance Todd Trophy, and the Steve Prescott Man of Steel Award – during his distinguished playing career with Saints.

He was a member of the England coaching staff under Bennett for the 2017 World Cup and the home series win against New Zealand in 2018, before taking a break last year when Danny Ward and Ian Watson became assistants for the ill-fated Lions tour.

RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer said: “We paid tribute to Kevin Sinfield and the immense contribution he had made to the England Performance Unit when he stepped down in January, and it is right that we do likewise for Danny Ward, Ian Watson and Jamie Peacock for their efforts with Great Britain last autumn, and in Jamie’s case stretching back several years with England and Great Britain.

“They have all made a significant contribution, for which we are grateful. I know they were all proud to work with the national team, and I hope they feel the experience was beneficial as well as enjoyable.”

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