 Noble would be disappointed to step down as Great Britain coach |
Brian Noble has admitted his time as Great Britain coach could be over amid reports the Rugby Football League is considering a full-time appointment. The Wigan boss's three-year contract as national coach expired on 31 December and, despite being keen to continue, he is only able to do the job part-time.
"They might decide to go down the full-time route and they are within their rights to do that," said Noble.
"But I have a two-year contract at Wigan and it would be difficult."
Noble, who took over Wigan last April, met with RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis on Monday for the first time since returning from the autumn Tri-Nations Series.
Not only did he discuss Britain's failure to make the final, Noble also gave his recommendations on the future of the game.
 | I've given them (the RFL) a bucket-load of things they can work on, whoever happens to be in charge |
"The RFL are discussing most of the options and will make their decision in due course," he said.
"I've given them a bucket-load of things they can work on, whoever happens to be in charge. But there would be an element of disappointment if it wasn't me.
"If they go down the full-time route, I wouldn't change my recommendations."
Those recommendations surround all aspects of the game, both short and long term, with Noble revealing: "My views covered a broad spectrum - junior recruitment, the numbers playing the game and enticing rugby union players.
"When Great Britain have been relatively strong, we've managed to entice rugby union players. It's very difficult now but I think we need to find a way to re-open that corridor.
"I'm also violently against the amount of games our top players play. They play seven more games than their competitors - that's a quarter of the season.
"I understand the mechanics of the Super League and how many home games each team needs to make the books balance. So we've got to find a way to finance this game better."
With the focus of the international game turning towards England ahead of the 2008 World Cup, the position of GB coach is perhaps not as important as it once was.
The current England coach is Warrington's Paul Cullen, who led the national side to victory in the Federations Shield, but Noble, along with Salford's Karl Harrison, could come into the reckoning.