England join the Euro

ENGLAND will put a second string team into a new European Championship next autumn. The main side – probably under a new coach if Wayne Bennett (inset) walks away – will contest three Tests against New Zealand. But the RFL have agreed to put another squad into a separate six-nations tournament. The other countries will be Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy, with the tournament organised by the European Federation. Nigel Wood, RFL chief executive, said: “The RFL have volunteered to put an English side into a European Championship to add some quality and depth. “We’ve got sufficient players to allow the next 20 best to be playing international rugby league.

“The European Federation are controlling that but we support their aspirations.

“It’s a gesture to support international rugby league.”

Wood also revealed that talks will carry on today in a bid to firm up the proposed return of the Lions side in 2019.

He added: “The energy behind it has to come from the southern hemisphere. We’re meeting the Australians later this week to see how they want to do it.”

Bennett is out of contract after the World Cup final but Wood said it’s unlikely that an announcement on his future will be imminent.

England’s next game is a mid-season Test next year, which could be staged in the USA.