England Rugby League head coach Shaun Wane has stepped down from his role after almost six years in charge, the Rugby Football League (RFL) announced on Wednesday. His resignation comes just nine months before the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand later this year.
Wane, 61, took over the England position in February 2020, succeeding Wayne Bennett and leading the national side through several major competitions, including the 2021 Rugby League World Cup – where England reached the semi-finals before a narrow defeat to Samoa.
In his resignation statement, Wane said it had been “the honour of my life to coach England Rugby League over the last six years,” and that after careful reflection he believed “the time is right to step aside and allow the programme to move forward into its next chapter.”
Record and Recent Form
During Wane’s tenure, England won 14 of his 19 matches in charge and achieved notable successes, including test-series victories over Tonga in 2023 and Samoa in 2024. However, the team’s form ended on a low note with a 3–0 home Ashes series defeat to Australia in late 2025, which preceded his decision to resign.
Although the Ashes losses were disappointing, Wane’s overall contributions — including reaching the World Cup semi-final while hosting the tournament in 2022 — established a period of stability and competitive performances for England Rugby League.
World Cup Context and Immediate Impact
England’s World Cup campaign is scheduled to begin on 17 October 2026 in Perth, with pool matches against Tonga, France and Papua New Guinea. With Wane’s departure coming so close to the tournament, the RFL now must find a replacement capable of building momentum and preparation in limited time.
The governing body has indicated the next coach will likely fill the role on a part-time basis, a departure from the full-time setup held under Wane. This shift reflects broader organizational changes as England Rugby League navigates its World Cup preparations amid a crowded club calendar and limited opportunities for international fixtures.
Why the Change Now?
Wane’s decision to step down appears rooted in a desire for fresh leadership and a strategic reset ahead of the sport’s biggest international event. Despite earlier insisting after the Ashes series that he remained the right man for the job, Wane ultimately concluded that a new direction may benefit the national programme.
RFL interim chief executive Abi Ekoku formally thanked Wane for his leadership and “unstinting dedication to making the England team the very best it could be,” noting that his career has helped raise expectations and standards for a new generation of international stars.
Legacy and Coaching Track Record
Wane’s coaching résumé includes an accomplished club career at Wigan Warriors, where he led the side to multiple Super League Grand Final victories, a Challenge Cup, and success in the World Club Challenge before transitioning into international rugby league leadership.
His national team tenure brought memorable test wins and competitive World Cup showings — though critics argue inconsistency against top-level sides like Australia highlighted areas England must improve ahead of future global tournaments.
The new coach — whether selected from domestic Super League ranks or broader international candidates — faces the challenge of aligning preparation, tactics and squad cohesion with less than a year until the World Cup kicks off.
Looking Ahead
With the 2026 Rugby League World Cup looming, England’s coaching vacancy marks one of the most significant decisions in the national programme’s recent history. The next head coach will have the critical task of uniting the squad and creating momentum in a condensed lead-up period, while balancing domestic commitments and strategic development.
As the RFL continues its recruitment process, England fans and rugby league analysts alike will watch closely to see who steps into the role and how the team evolves under new leadership before the global tournament in October.
