Paul Rowley: St Helens head coach interested in taking charge of England for Rugby League World Cup

St Helens head coach Paul Rowley has expressed his interest in the vacant England head coach job, saying he has a "burning desire" to coach his country.

England are currently without a head coach after Shaun Wane stepped down after six years in charge of the national side.

Wane's departure came following England's 3-0 Ashes defeat last October in which they were beaten comprehensively by Australia in all three Tests.

• Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream contract-free on NOW
• Download Sky Sports app for expert analysis, video and more
• Choose the Sky Sports push notifications you want

With a Rugby League World Cup this autumn, there has been a hunt for Wane's replacement and Willie Peters' move to the PNG Chiefs from 2027 onwards put a spanner in the works.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Speaking ahead of the Good Friday derby between St Helens and Wigan Warriors, live on Sky Sports, Rowley said: "As a player, representing your country is the biggest accolade you can get.

"As a coach I have a burning desire to coach England."

Hull KR head coach Peter was believed to be the frontrunner to take on the job but has since reportedly stepped down from his role as Kangaroos assistant coach and removed himself from the process to be considered as England head coach.

That means the search continues into April, with many believing Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur could be the coach called upon to lead the national side into the World Cup.

However, Rowley, who represented England during his playing career, said he would "embrace" the opportunity and it is a goal in his career to get to be involved with England in a coaching capacity.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

"Willie Peters has the credentials but I think that might have drifted now. He would have been a strong favourite and rightly so, he's been phenomenal in his time here.

"It is something I would embrace and I would love a piece of that.

"That would absolutely be on my goals to achieve and a burning desire to do so because singing the anthem and leading out your country as a player or coach is an unbelievable feeling and would get the heart pumping."

2026 Super League - key dates and what to look out for

• Rivals Round: April 3-April 5
• Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6:30 UK (Sky Sports)
• Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
• Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
• Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
• Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
• Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford.

Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports+