Tuesday 30 April 2019 15:37, UK
Wayne Bennett has been confirmed as coach for the England team at the Downer World Cup Nines in Australia later this year.
The 12-team tournament takes place over the weekend of October 18 and 19 at Bankwest Stadium, Sydney, with England competing alongside Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, France, Lebanon, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, the USA and Wales.
England Women, coached by Craig Richards, will be competing in an eight-team competition at the same time too and RFL rugby director Kevin Sinfield believes Bennett's presence is a sign of intent.
"We're excited by the prospect of the Downer World Cup Nines in Sydney, and both our men's and women's teams are determined to put up a good showing in what promises to be a great occasion for the international game," said Sinfield.
"As the head coaches of our men's and women's teams, it's fitting that Wayne and Craig take charge of the England teams in the Nines - and a measure of how seriously we're taking the tournaments.
"For England Women in particular, it's an important part of the preparations for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup - and we're working hard behind the scenes on securing more international competition in the southern hemisphere for the team this autumn."
Bennett will be taking charge of the England nines team prior to leading Great Britain on their first Southern Hemisphere tour for 13 years, which includes Test matches against New Zealand, Tonga and Papua New Guinea.
The 69-year-old Australian's full staff for the Lions' tour is still to be confirmed, although the RFL are advertising for the vacancy left by James Lowes returning to a coaching role in rugby union with Ealing Trailfinders last month and will write to the other Home Nations inviting applications.
The England Performance Squad - a large number of whom are likely to be part of the Great Britain team - held a get-together in Leeds this week with the Knights Performance Squad.
While the senior team have no matches scheduled this year due to the Lions tour, the RFL have plans for the England Knights to play on home soil in 2019 after touring Papua New Guinea last year.
Sinfield is in no doubt such get-togethers will prove valuable for the national team as they build towards the next Rugby League World Cup in two years' time.
"We noted some questioning why we have named an EPS for 2019," said Sinfield. "But continuity is crucial, to build on the successes and progress of 2017 and 2018, and to ensure we continue working towards the privilege and opportunity of hosting the Rugby League World Cup in 2021.
"Players spending time with each other away from the game is vital for all our programmes and has been of huge benefit over the last two years.
"We also believe there is significant value in the EPS meeting with the Knights, stressing the links between the squads, which have been shown by the number of players who have made senior England debuts in the last 12 months."
