{"id":581371,"date":"2025-11-19T23:31:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T23:31:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/581371\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T23:31:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T23:31:21","slug":"james-graham-backs-surprising-name-for-england-rugby-league-coaching-role","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/581371\/","title":{"rendered":"James Graham backs surprising name for England rugby league coaching role"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

James Graham has once again shut down rumours that he will be involved in a future England rugby league set-up but backed a surprise name to land a role.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Graham\u2019s name has been circulated in reports and has also been suggested by pundits with many touting the most capped English rugby league player to take on some form of coaching role.<\/p>\n

It had been suggested that Graham could work in support of Sam Burgess<\/a> with current head coach Shaun Wane\u2019s future under review after a disappointing 3-0 series loss in the Ashes.<\/p>\n

The former St Helens and NRL man has recently thrown his support behind Shaun Wane<\/a> and when asked about a possible role in camp, said: \u201cIt would be scary because what happens if I like it?\u201d<\/p>\n

One week later and he has now shut down those talks all together, labelling his Bye Round Podcast<\/a> co-host Charlie White a \u201cmuppet\u201d and telling him to \u201cshut up\u201d when the suggestion of Graham coaching England was suggested.<\/p>\n

That came after Graham put forward a different name with the pundit suggesting former rugby league man and current rugby union coach Andy Farrell.<\/p>\n

James Graham backs Andy Farrell for shock rugby league return<\/p>\n

Farrell made his name in rugby league as part of the Wigan Warriors set-up but made the switch to rugby union, before eventually coaching in the sport after retiring.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s become the head coach of Ireland and also led the British and Irish Lions on their series win in Australia earlier this year but Graham has suggested Farrell return to rugby league, even if it\u2019s in an advisory role within the England set-up.<\/p>\n

Talking about the current uncertainty amid England, Graham said: \u201cOn England and Shaun Wane\u2019s future, I\u2019ve been thinking about a person to bring in, not just for coaching but for credibility and the reach and impact that he would have.<\/p>\n

\u201cAndy Farrell. Bring him back. Bring him in, bring him back.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of Graham\u2019s arguments was the pull that Farrell would have in terms of possibly attracting rugby union fans, as well as Farrell\u2019s knowledge of both codes.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould you imagine what that would do for English rugby league,\u201d asked Graham.<\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon people would want to watch, the rugby union fans going \u201cAndy Farrell is going back to coach England\u201d, or to help with England<\/p>\n

As it stands, Shaun Wane\u2019s future will be determined from an internal review with RFL chief Nigel Wood recently telling the BBC that there was no need to \u201cexpedite\u201d the process and that findings could be expected in \u201ctwo or three months\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wood did confirm that Wane is contracted to lead England into next year\u2019s World Cup, set to be held in Australia and Papua New Guinea.<\/p>\n

Check out the latest episode of The Serious About Rugby League Show on our YouTube channel here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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