England head coach reportedly confirmed with Super League roles unaffected

Reports have emerged suggesting the next England coach has been confirmed with the decision set to have no immediate bearing on current Super League coaches.

Interviews took place last week with former England international Kevin Sinfield involved with the process, and it now seems a decision has been made.

Love Rugby League have reported that former Leeds Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott has landed the job, making it his first head coaching role since 2022 when he left Featherstone Rovers.

Since his unprecedented period of success with Leeds Rhinos where he led the club to four Super League titles and two Challenge Cup trophies, McDermott has coached Toronto Wolfpack, Featherstone, and has more recently worked as an assistant coach in the NRL.

He’s currently part of the Gold Coast Titans coaching set-up but was previously involved with Newcastle Knights. Per reports, his confirmed appointment is set to be announced on Thursday.

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Brian McDermott set to become England head coach

What’s significant about McDermott’s appointment is that he was the only one of the reported five-man shortlist not to hold a current Super League position.

Others to interview were Leeds Rhinos’ Brad Arthur, St Helens’ Paul Rowley and Warrington Wolves head coach and assistant coach, Sam Burgess and Steve McNamara.

The appointment is only until the end of the upcoming World Cup, at which England will play Tonga in their first game on October 17th, after which a decision will be made on the long-term future of the role.

England have been without a head coach since Shaun Wane resigned from the role in January following a disappointing Ashes series that saw England defeated 3-0 by Australia, with Wane’s side struggling to score points across the three-game series.