Former Great Britain legend Keith Senior has urged the RFL to appoint a domestic coach for the national team, sounding out the names of Daryl Powell and Brian McDermott.
Wayne Bennett is currently in discussions over a new deal that would see him take England into next year’s Ashes Series and the 2021 World Cup.
This comes despite him overseeing Great Britain’s woeful tour of Oceania this autumn, and ex-Lions great Senior says Bennett should now be replaced.
“He doesn’t see any of Super League,” said Senior. “He misses a lot of the talent over here and if he is relying on the opinions of his assistant coaches then one of them may as well be in charge.
“If the RFL want to keep Bennett on board then put him in a Director of Rugby role, but he shouldn’t be our national coach when he has a full-time job in Australia.
“I have no issue with appointing an Australian coach, but I do when he isn’t based here and coaches one of the biggest club teams on the other side of the world.
“It’s time to go back to basics. Bennett isn’t the answer anymore and we are wasting time ahead of a crucial couple of years at international level.”
Keith Senior has called for an experienced British coach to replace Wayne Bennett.
Although Senior acknowledged the development of young coaches Ian Watson and former team-mate Danny Ward, he has called on someone more experienced to take the job.
“We have some great coaches with experience in this country and I think Daryl Powell has to be given a chance at some point.
“He knows Super League and his style of play is attractive and attacking. You can’t underestimate the job he has done since taking charge at Castleford.
“They were a team in disarray when he joined and he has turned them into consistent contenders. I think he would be an ideal choice as England coach.”
Brian McDermott won four Super League titles as Leeds Rhinos head coach. Credit: News Images
Senior played his final Super League season under Brian McDermott and the former Leeds favourite wouldn’t be opposed to the current Toronto coach landing the job either.
“He (McDermott) can’t be overlooked,” said Senior. “You look at his record and it’s hard to understand why people question him because he wins trophies.
“We need someone who can really get the players fired up, a motivator, someone for the big occasion, so we can match the enthusiasm of our opponents.
“The main ingredient is to have a coach who watches our competition, knows our players and is 100 percent dedicated to helping England have success.”
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