England boss Shaun Wane has been given a second chance at bringing World Cup glory.
He was under pressure after the national side’s shock World Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Samoa in November. Failing to even reach the final of the home tournament after Wane had targeted winning it, was a major letdown for all concerned. With the ex-Wigan coach out of contract, the RFL undertook a review of his performance and there were many calls for a new coach to be installed.
But the governing body has now officially backed the 58-year-old to take England on to the 2025 World Cup in France. The RFL has also confirmed Stuart Barrow takes over the Women’s side through to the tournament and, understandably, Tom Coyd stays on as Wheelchair coach after their brilliant World Cup win in the autumn. Barrow will be assisted by the Leeds Rhinos head coach and former England captain Lois Forsell, and Dec Hardman, who was the head coach of St Helens when they secured a Women’s Challenge Cup and Super League double in 2021.
Coyd guided England Wheelchair to a memorable World Cup Final victory over France last Autumn and will look to repeat the magic against the French on their home soil in 2025. RFL Chair Simon Johnson: “I am delighted to confirm these appointments and I wish all three coaches every success – beginning with the Men’s and Women’s Mid-Season Internationals against France in April.
“The RFL Board received and considered at length a detailed review of the performance of each of the England teams at RLWC2021. No stone was left unturned in the review, which included submissions from coaches, players and staff alike. The report generated a good, robust and lengthy discussion at our February board meeting. We are confident that we have the right people in place.”
England’s Men and Women return to international action on Saturday April 29 for the first time since last year’s World Cup – a double-header with France at Warrington which is the launchpad for a game-wide fundraising effort in aid of the MND Association. There’s 5,000 people in the UK living with MND, a progressive disease affecting the brain and the spinal cord for which there is currently no cure. England Rugby League kit partner Oxen, in associated with RL Commercial, will donate £10 from the sale of each England replica shirt to the MND Association, while £2.50 from every match ticket sold for the England v France internationals will also go to the charity.
