Shaun Wane to stay on as England coach despite World Cup disappointment

Shaun Wane will continue as head coach of the England men’s rugby league team through to the next Rugby League World Cup in 2025. Despite the disappointment of missing out on the final of last year’s World Cup on home soil, the Rugby Football League have confirmed that Wane will remain in post for another three years and for the next tournament in France.

England were beaten by Samoa in extra-time in the semi-finals of last year’s World Cup in London, but Wane has retained the backing of the playing group despite that result. The Guardian understands that senior RFL officials, led by the chairman, Simon Johnson, conducted an extensive review in the off-season which included crucial conversations with senior England players. They all gave their backing for Wane to continue in the role.

That bond between Wane and his players was central in the RFL making the decision to extend his contract through to the next World Cup in 2025. He also retained strong support at boardroom level, with the governing body deciding against even sounding out possible alternatives if they decided to take the England programme in a different direction. Wane had informed the RFL in the immediate aftermath of the World Cup he wished to continue.

“The RFL board received and considered at length a detailed review of the performance of each of the England teams at RLWC2021,” Johnson said. “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.”

While Wane will take the men’s side to the next World Cup, the RFL have opted to make a change to the coaching setup of the women’s team. Stuart Barrow has replaced Craig Richards, who was informed he would not be retained after England’s women also reached the semi-finals of last year’s World Cup. Tom Coyd, who led England’s wheelchair side to World Cup success, will continue as coach of that team.

Attention will now turn towards the build to the next World Cup in 2025. Wane’s side have a Test against France confirmed for April but there is still uncertainty over who they will face this autumn. With the world champions, Australia, ruling themselves out of a tour of England again, they had hoped to entice New Zealand to travel.

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However, the Kiwis will play the Kangaroos at the end of this year instead. The RFL are now hopeful of agreeing a deal that will secure a three-Test series against Tonga this autumn, but terms are yet to be finalised.