England boss Shaun Wane says squad's backing made him realise it's right to stay
Shaun Wane remains “tortured” about how the World Cup ended - but his England players’ backing reinforced his belief he should carry on.
The national coach has spoke publicly for the first time since the RFL confirmed last month his deal had been extended until the 2025 tournament in France. Wane’s future had come into doubt after England’s agonising World Cup semi-final exit against Samoa in London last November. He admitted: “I did think if they want to go another way then I’ll understand.
“It was international sport and we didn’t get to a final but there were also reasons why we didn’t. I know they did a very detailed review and I did myself. We’ve analysed everything and it still tortures me to this day. It was very upsetting. But from the meetings I had, I was taken aback by how much the players enjoyed the World Cup.
“Having someone like Chris Hill, who’s a man of many, many tournaments, say it was the best he’d ever experienced is a testament to my staff and the environment they created. I knew we were in a good place. Hearing that further convinced me to stay on. If I had feedback that they weren’t happy, it would’ve changed things.”
England host France at Warrington next month while the RFL hope to soon finalise plans for a three-Test home series against Tonga this autumn with Newcastle and London among potential venues.
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On Tonga, Wane said: “It’s not set in stone yet but it will more than likely be happening. I don’t get frustrated by it. The way I look at it is I can’t control what’s happening with the detailed chats between the RFL and the NRL. When I get told it’s on - and it’s very close - it won’t become more complicated if those Tests are announced. For me, every day is a working day and we’ll crack on."
England's Chris Hill against Greece in the World Cup (Tim Goode/PA Wire) (PA)And the ex-Wigan boss revealed there will be a fresh look to his selections for France on April 29. Wane, 58, said: “It’ll be a very young and very different squad, very much with 2025 in mind. It won’t be a clearout because I picked some players who were over 30 in the World Cup and they did a fantastic job so I need their experience. But there’ll be some younger players in there.”
Uncapped St Helens scrum-half Lewis Dodd, 21, is one likely call-up and there will be potential returns for his club colleagues Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley and Mark Percival who all missed the World Cup due to injury. Leeds Rhinos’ Harry Newman, 23, is also in the frame but Wane has yet to decide his captain. Current skipper Sam Tomkins, 34, will retire at the end of the season and has played only once this season due to a knee injury.
It seems unlikely he will face France but Wane said: “I’ve too much respect for him (to say he’s finished) and I’m looking forward to having a few personal chats with him. It will be someone of Sam’s ilk but I’ve not even decided on my squad yet.”
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