International RL: England's progress puts head-coach contract talks back on the agenda, says Sinfield

ENGLAND rugby director Kevin Sinfield says he expects to sit down with Wayne Bennett shortly to discuss the head coach's future.

It was announced in February that the veteran Australian, who led England to the World Cup final last year, had signed a new deal until the end of 2019.

However, with his side having won the ongoing series against New Zealand with a game to spare, some players have already said they would love to see the coach lead them into the 2021 World Cup.

Bennett, of course, would be 71 by then and it remains to be seen what his own plans are but Sinfield admits nothing is ruled out from the RFL’s side.

England head coach, Wayne Bennett. PIC: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

“We’ve not opened talks yet,” he said. “On the back of the World Cup we agreed we’d take it two years at a time.

“At that stage, I think we both weren’t sure what this next couple of years would bring.

“I have to say I’m delighted in what he’s done – the belief and confidence he’s put in the players, the environment he’s created there and the value of the badge is so much greater than it’s been for a long, long time.

“I think to jump into anything now would be pretty foolish.