Mac seeks England redemption

McNamara: keen to stay on

I am unbelievably ambitious. I'm disappointed - as everyone was - that England didn't get better results, and it would be nice to put that right.

Steve McNamara
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Steve McNamara is keen to stay on as Tony Smith's assistant with England and help banish the memory of the World Cup flop.

Head coach Smith has 12 months left on his contract with the Rugby Football League, where he is also technical director, and will remain in charge of the national side for this autumn's expanded Four Nations Series.

Bradford head coach McNamara, 37, has been Smith's number two for the last two years, but his contract ran out at the end of the World Cup in November.

The former Hull and Great Britain loose forward is taking part in the ongoing debrief on England's disappointments in Australia, where they lost on successive weekends to New Zealand twice and Australia, failing to make the final.

"I'm keen to speak to Tony and the RFL board about it," he said. "Obviously there is a little bit of a sour taste in everyone's mouth from what happened in the World Cup, and the players and the staff would love another opportunity to put that right.

"I am unbelievably ambitious. I'm disappointed - as everyone was - that England didn't get better results, and it would be nice to put that right."

England will next be in action in June with a mid-season international against France, who will be part of the expanded Tri-Nations alongside Australia and New Zealand in October and November.

Bradford prospects

Meanwhile, McNamara is excited about the prospects for his Bradford side in engage Super League XIV.

"I'm very happy with the group we've got," he added. "We've invested heavily in time and effort in the off season, and the guys have responded magnificently. They are as close a bunch as I've seen.

"There are a lot of young boys out there. There's very much more of a youthful and athletic look about the Bulls."