Shaun Wane has extended his contract as the England head coach until the 2025 Rugby League World Cup. After losing to Samoa in the semi-final stage of the last tournament, England captain Sam Tomkins and winger Tommy Makinson publicly supported Wane’s continued leadership. Wane now has the responsibility of assembling a squad capable of challenging the southern hemisphere teams in France.
England Rugby League has also appointed Stuart Barrow as the women’s head coach, replacing Craig Richards. Tom Coyd, the coach of the England wheelchair team, will continue in his role.
Wane will take charge of England’s match against France in Warrington in April. The international rugby league schedule for the autumn is yet to be confirmed, but rugby league chiefs are attempting to organise a series with either Tonga or Samoa following New Zealand’s decision to withdraw from the planned Tests.
Wane will also have to identify and develop new talent, as several key players who played a crucial role in England’s World Cup campaign are unlikely to feature in France.
In the meantime, Barrow will lead the England women’s team during an exciting period of growth for the sport, with two Super League clubs paying their players for the first time. Barrow will be assisted by former St Helens head coach Dec Hardman and current Leeds Rhinos head coach Lois Forsell.
RFL chair Simon Johnson expressed his pleasure at the appointments and wished the three coaches success in their new roles, beginning with the men’s and women’s mid-season internationals against France on April 29.
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