England boss Shaun Wane makes War of the Roses stance clear amid return talks

England boss Shaun Wane admits he would welcome the return of the War of the Roses next season as he prepares his side to face Australia next year. Wane’s side completed a 2-0 series win over Samoa on Saturday as they saw off the tourists 34-16 at Headingley Stadium in what was yet another dominant showing.

The team in white will certainly have a tougher challenge next autumn, though, with Australia, the world champions, set to travel to the Northern Hemisphere for an Ashes series. How England prepare for that series next year is something of a talking point, with question marks over the value of a mid-season international against France or any other Northern Hemisphere nation would be.

As such, there has been talk of a return of the War of the Roses, with Rugby League Live reporting previously, that a clash between Lancashire and Yorkshire was on the agenda for the game’s decision makers.

The clash used to be a staple on the rugby league calendar but hasn’t been played since 2003, with Yorkshire winning 56-6 on that occasion. But, it could soon be set to return and Wane has thrown his support behind the idea, insisting it could be more beneficial than another non-competitive mid-season international.

“I’d love that,” Wane told the press at Headingley when asked about the concept. “I played in a few Yorkshire versus Lancashire games and if I can sit back and watch and there’s a lot at stake and they’re ripping into each other with Briersy one coach and Andy Last the other. An international trial would be fantastic and I’m sure it will happen in the next few years.

“If we get a really good top-flight sponsor to make sure it’s a big deal. When you look at the State of Origin, in 1980 it was a couple of thousand at Sydney, they’ve stuck at that and look at that now, it’s a worldwide success. We need to start somewhere and I think next year doing it would be fantastic.”

On his plans for the mid-season break, Wane added: “We’ve got time, we’ve got that mid-season break so we’ll be doing something whether it’s here or abroad, we’ll be getting together.

“We’re going to have to be smart with how we spend our time with the players. The players are up for it, they’re talking about nothing but playing Australia in there and they’re excited by it so I’m pleased I can finally coach against Australia.”