RFL confirm vacant England coach role will be full-time

Tony Smith took over from Brian Noble back in 2007

The Rugby Football League has confirmed England's next coach will be a full-time appointment.

Former coach Tony Smith, who combined coaching roles with England and Warrington, resigned after losing to Australia in the Four Nations final.

Although no appointment date has been set, the RFL said it could employ more than one person for the role.

"It is more important we get the right person rather than a quick appointment," said RFL head Nigel Wood.

It is likely a four-man RFL panel, including a recently retired England international with input from Smith, will make an appointment for the role ahead of next year's early season international against France.

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I can't see how any top-class coach would want a job coaching a team who only play three or four meaningful games a year

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"It needs to be part and parcel of a whole stream of measures the game is taking to give us the best possible chance (for the Rugby League World Cup) in 2013," added chief executive Wood.

"We will be looking wherever we need to look to get the right person, or indeed combination of persons if that is appropriate, over the course of time."

Wakefield Wildcats boss John Kear and England rugby union defence coach Mike Ford have distanced themselves from the role, while former Great Britain legend Ellery Hanley and Hull KR boss Justin Morgan have been linked.