Marshall agrees new deal to stay at Halifax

Marshall guided the Championship club to the highs of the Qualifiers last term, his first campaign in charge after leaving his role as Warrington Wolves assistant and one that saw him win the division’s coach of the year award.

They failed to reach the top-four again this time around but Halifax were still keen to secure further one of the most highly-rated coaches in the competition.

Marshall was already under contract next season but has now agreed to stay until the end of 2019.

“I didn’t take long to mull the decision over when I was offered the opportunity to stay here,” said the 40-year-old, who also featured with Halifax in his earlier playing career.

“It’s a really, really good club and they have been very positive with me this season even though the results have fallen short of the top four.

“ I want to achieve great things here and we are all in this together.

“Working with the group of players is fantastic. They are characters both on and off the field who work really hard for each other, and the opportunity to do more with them over the next couple of years excites me.”

Halifax director Ian Croad described the news as “a statement of intent” and added: “The club is building solid foundations for the future, as well as the reserve grade structure remaining in place where we hope to continue the development of young players at Halifax.

“We may have been quiet over the last few weeks but this is just the start of what we hope will be a lot of positive news ahead of the 2017 season.

“Along with Richard, plans are well underway in terms of recruitment for next season where the budget for the first team will be similar to when we finished in the top four in 2015 – regardless of our sixth place finish this season.”

Wayne Bennett’s first game in charge of England will be against France in Avignon at the Parc des Sports on Saturday October 22 (6.30 CET).

It will be England’s only match ahead of the 2016 Four Nations Series opener versus New Zealand at Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium a week later.