England have confirmed that head coach Shaun Wane will step down meaning that the hunt is on for who will lead the nation to this year’s Rugby League World Cup.

A statement from the RFL confirmed the decision with Wane stepping aside after just under six years in charge, having first been appointed in February 2020.

Having been appointed ahead of the delayed 2021 World Cup with the task of winning the competition, Wane’s England fell in the semi-finals to Samoa, a side that they had beaten 60-6 just weeks earlier in the tournament opener.

That defeat was seen as a major failure and despite series wins over Samoa and Tonga, the 3-0 Ashes whitewash was viewed as another major failure with Sky Sports’ Brian Carney labelling it as “nothing short of catastrophic”.

Confirmed by the RFL in late 2025 that they would review Wane’s position, a decision has now been made and that means the starting pistol has fired on the race for who will lead England to this year’s Rugby League World Cup down under.

We’ve picked out a few candidates who could be in contention based on past experience and the RFL’s caveat that the role is expected to ‘revert to a part-time position’, putting a number of Super League coaches firmly on the radar.

Who could coach England at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup?

Paul Rowley

One of the major criticisms of Shaun Wane’s England was that their attack did not operate as an elite attack needs to at international level, but that is not a criticism that could be levelled at Paul Rowley. In fact, St Helens actively brought Rowley in because previous coach Paul Wellens had faced similar criticisms.

Paul Rowley having the likes of Mikey Lewis, George Williams, Harry Smith, or even Jake Connor at his disposal would be a very exciting team to watch with Rowley potentially a very popular appointment.

Willie Peters

One man who has had all the success possible in 2025 and is therefore the in-form coach is Willie Peters and he’s also shown that he is not a stranger to a challenge, having taken a role as assistant coach with Australia for the Ashes.

It’s believed that role was for the Ashes and not part of a longer-term appointment and Peters might just be interested in an England role, if approached.

Sam Burgess

As the Ashes defeats came and went, one man’s name was on plenty of lips and that was Sam Burgess with calls down under that the Warrington Wolves boss should take on the role and have someone like James Graham as an assistant.

With Burgess off contract at the end of the 2026 season and the huge respect he garners as a player, perhaps a role at England could be something he’d consider.

Sam Tomkins

A rogue one in that he has never been a head coach before but Tomkins is bedded into the England system and is also familiar with many of the players, having played with or against many and also worked with them in this past series.

Similar to Burgess, he will command respect among the players and as someone who is already in the system, it means he would be an appointment who isn’t harmed as badly as others in regards the fact no games will be played before the World Cup.

Wayne Bennett

Could the RFL go back to the old master and bring Wayne Bennett back on board? He is showing no signs of slowing down and did take England to a World Cup Final down under back in 2017, something that Shaun Wane could not do with an easier run on paper.

Brian McDermott

Someone embedded in the NRL for the past few years, which everyone can agree is the stronger competition. That knowledge of the game down under plus his brilliant record at delivering silverware and in particular at winning knock-out games, would make McDermott a strong candidate.

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