Paul Rowley Eyes England Head Coach Role Ahead of Rugby League World Cup
St Helens head coach Paul Rowley has openly declared his interest in the vacant England head coach position, fueled by a "burning desire" to represent his country. England currently finds itself without a head coach following Shaun Wane's resignation after six years, which came on the heels of a disappointing 3-0 Ashes defeat to Australia in October. With the Rugby League World Cup approaching this autumn, the search for Wane's successor has intensified. Notably, Willie Peters's impending move to the PNG Chiefs in 2027 has complicated matters. Rowley, speaking ahead of the highly anticipated Good Friday derby between St Helens and Wigan Warriors, emphasized the significance of coaching England: "As a player, representing your country is the biggest accolade you can get. As a coach, I have a burning desire to coach England." Although Peter was initially viewed as a frontrunner for the role, he has reportedly withdrawn from consideration after stepping down as the Kangaroos assistant coach. Consequently, the search continues, with speculation surrounding Brad Arthur, head coach of Leeds Rhinos, as a potential candidate to lead the national team into the World Cup. Rowley, who has previously donned the England jersey, expressed his eagerness to seize the opportunity, stating: "That would absolutely be on my goals to achieve... singing the anthem and leading out your country as a player or coach is an unbelievable feeling and would get the heart pumping." As the coaching landscape evolves, Rowley remains committed to his ambition, ready to embrace the challenge of national leadership.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-03-31