England coach Wayne Bennett to step up Four Nations preparations
Friday 10 June 2016 12:58, UK
England coach Wayne Bennett will step up his preparations for the 2016 Four Nations Series during a whistle-stop trip to the UK.
The Rugby Football League have organised a packed schedule for the veteran Brisbane Broncos boss, who will take advantage of his club's bye in the NRL to spend a week in the country.
Bennett, who has succeeded Steve McNamara in the England role, has a meeting lined up with the England squad and his assistant coach Denis Betts and will take in three Super League matches during his visit, including Widnes' home game against Wigan next Thursday.
"I'll be seeing Wayne a couple of times this week," said Betts. "He's coming to my game, not for me, for the players."
Bennett recently held a meeting in Sydney with the NRL-based England players, including Chris Heighington who revealed he is back in the reckoning after being in the wilderness since winning his three caps in 2011.
The identity of the squad of players being lined up for next week's Manchester meeting is being kept under wraps but Bennett is expected to unveil his plans for the Four Nations games against Australia, New Zealand and Scotland as well as the Test match against France.
RFL chief executive Nigel Wood said: "Everyone is looking forward to Wayne's visit as part of our preparations for this year's Four Nations.
"The timing of Wayne's arrival could not be better and it will provide a terrific opportunity for him to access the playing talent in the First Utility Super League.
"There will be a get-together for UK-based England players and Wayne will also be catching up with all England staff and colleagues from within the RFL's performance department as preparations intensify for the end-of-season Internationals."
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