St Helens boss Paul Rowley has spoken on the vacant role as head coach of England with a major admission made by the 51-year-old.

Rowley is in his first season at St Helens and is preparing for his first Good Friday derby against Wigan Warriors, however, he’s also been fielding questions on the vacant England role.

It’s been over two months since Shaun Wane resigned the role and with a World Cup later this year, there’s understandable interest in taking on the vacant gig and that interest is shared by Rowley as well.

He told Sky Sports that he holds a ‘burning desire to coach England’ with the race to be appointed now opened up after the favourite for the gig, Willie Peters, secured the job of PNG Chiefs head coach.

Peters will leave Hull KR at the end of the year and he’s admitted to media in Australia that he’s now ruled himself out of the England running as a result of that job.

One of those who could benefit from Peters’ decision not to contest the England role is Paul Rowley.

St Helens boss admits to ‘burning desire’ to coach England

Rowley even admitted: “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.”

As for his own ambitions, he said: “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.”

Rowley represented England on four occasions between 1996 and 2000 but he’s yet to have any coaching involvement with the nation, despite his impressive resume.

“As a player, representing your country is the biggest accolade you can get,” he admitted, adding: “As a coach, I have a burning desire to coach England.”

With the RFL Council Meeting earlier this month confirming the appointment of Nigel Wood as chair, it’s expected that the appointment process will speed up as previously it was on stand-by due to Wood’s interim status.

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