Leeds Rhinos’ Brad Arthur says he would be “honoured and privileged” to coach England after confirming he has been interviewed for the vacant role.
A five-strong panel was set up two weeks ago to appoint a successor to Shaun Wane who stepped down in January after six years in the role.
Brian McDermott, who led Rhinos to four Betfred Super League titles and is now an assistant at NRL outfit Gold Coast Titans, is understood to be on the RFL’s shortlist, alongside Warrington Wolves’ Sam Burgess and St Helens coach Paul Rowley.
Arthur has made no secret of his interest in the position and speaking at his weekly preview press conference today (Tuesday), he confirmed: “I had an interview yesterday.
“I was very happy with the process and the opportunity they gave me. It is such a prestigious role, I would love the opportunity to do it.”
Arthur insisted: “I have got wonderful support here from the club, they are right behind me. Now it’s up to those guys [the selection panel].
“They have some great candidates, which they’ll get through this week. Maybe the following week we’ll get some more information about it, but at the moment I have done my interview, put that away and now my focus is on Leeds Rhinos.”
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Leeds Rhinos remains Arthur’s focus despite England interview
The Australian, who joined Leeds almost two years ago after a decade as coach of NRL club Parramatta Eels, stressed he would feel “honoured, privileged and grateful to Leeds Rhinos” if he got the England job.
He added: “Leeds Rhinos are the ones who’ve put me in the frame for this and gave me the opportunity to come over here and coach.
“Not just the club, but also the playing group – if they didn’t have the buy-in and weren’t trying, I wouldn’t be in the frame either.
“There’s a long way to go and lots of good candidates so I am not sure where it will end up, but I am very happy here and focused on my job at Leeds.”
