Shaun Wane has resigned as England head coach nine months before the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The 61-year-old, who took over from Wayne Bennett in 2020, departs after 'careful reflection'. His tenure included a home World Cup semi-final exit and a historic Ashes series whitewash by Australia last autumn.

Wane's statement called the role the 'honour of my life', but he felt it was time to step aside. His exit follows a difficult period for the national side, despite series wins against Tonga and Samoa. The Rugby Football League now faces a rush to appoint a successor.

Replacing Wane will be challenging. The governing body indicated the head coach role will likely revert to part-time. This limits preparation time significantly, a key issue Wane faced. With the tournament in Perth starting in October, a new coach has little chance to implement strategies against elite opposition.