Shaun Wane has resigned as head coach of England’s national rugby league team, ending a six-year tenure less than nine months before the start of the next Rugby League World Cup.
The 61-year-old former Wigan Warriors coach steps down with immediate effect following a period of reflection after England’s 3-0 Ashes series defeat to Australia late last year.
In an official statement, Wane expressed his profound gratitude for the role. “It has been the honour of my life to coach England Rugby League over the last six years,” he said, “but after careful reflection I believe the time is right to step aside and allow the programme to move forward into its next chapter”.
He reflected fondly on the highlights of his tenure, stating, “The privilege of leading my country in a World Cup, an Ashes Series on home soil and securing victories over Tonga and Samoa will live long in the memory”.
Wane’s departure marks the conclusion of a mixed period for England. Appointed in February 2020, he oversaw 19 matches, winning 14 for a success rate of 78%. His reign included a run to the semi-finals of the 2022 home World Cup, where England suffered a dramatic golden-point extra-time defeat to Samoa.
Subsequent series whitewashes against Tonga in 2023 and Samoa in 2024 were significant achievements. However, the comprehensive Ashes loss to Australia in late 2025, during which England scored only two tries across three Tests, placed his position under intense scrutiny and ultimately led to this change.
The Rugby Football League (RFL) confirmed that the search for a successor has begun and that the role is expected to revert to a part-time position. Interim chief executive Abi Ekoku thanked Wane for his “leadership and unstinting dedication to making the England team the very best it could be”.
This structural shift indicates a preference for a coach already employed within the club game, with current Super League coaches like Hull KR’s Willie Peters, Warrington’s Sam Burgess, and St Helens’ Paul Rowley among the speculated candidates.
The timing of the resignation presents a significant challenge for England’s World Cup preparations. The new coach will have no competitive matches or extended training camps to implement a philosophy before the tournament begins in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea this October.
England’s first pool match is scheduled against Tonga in Perth on October 17. Wane’s departure, described by one report as a “clean break” following frustrations over a lack of pre-tournament planning, leaves the national program at a crossroads as it seeks a new direction ahead of the sport’s global showcase.