Sam Burgess has been tipped to replace Shaun Wane as England\u2019s head coach ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with his suitability for the role questioned.<\/p>\n
England<\/a> currently trail Australia 2-0 in this autumn\u2019s Ashes Series, which will conclude this weekend as the two sides square off in the third Test at Headingley.<\/p>\n Wane has been in charge of the national team since February 2020, and after defeat against Samoa in the World Cup semi-final back in 2022, plenty have been left unimpressed by what his side have dished up thus far in the Ashes against the Kangaroos.<\/p>\n There is nothing to suggest that Wane will depart ahead of next year\u2019s showpiece, taking place across Australia and Papua New Guinea.<\/p>\n But there have, for the first time, been mumblings of serious discontent with him at the helm: and plenty of the criticism which has been directed his way has been from Down Under.<\/p>\n Warrington Wolves boss Sam Burgess tipped for England job as suitability questioned<\/p>\n Discussing the situation via Triple M\u2019s Daily NRL podcast<\/a>, journalists David Riccio and Brent Read have now chimed in, insisting that Wane cannot be the man that leads England at the World Cup next autumn.<\/p>\n Read has even tipped Wane\u2019s replacement in the shape of Warrington Wolves boss Burgess, an NRL<\/a> icon who represented England 25 times during his own career as well as running out twice for Great Britain.<\/p>\n Explaining his thought process, Read said: \u201cI reckon Shaun Wane<\/a>, the England coach, has got to be under pressure.<\/p>\n \u201cI know our mate Woodsy (Aaron Woods) had a crack at him, but he\u2019s dead set got to be under massive pressure after the way they\u2019ve played in this series.<\/p>\n