England Academy announce revamped coaching setup

England Academy have appointed new coaching staff for the upcoming tour of Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League, and England Youth have appointed their coach for the 2015 season.

England Knights and Warrington Wolves first team coach Richard Marshall has been appointed coach of the England Academy team and will be assisted by England Regional Performance Coach for Cumbria Dave Clark.

John Winder and Andy Last leave their roles as coach and assistant coach of the Academy due to increased commitments to their First Utility Super League clubs, Wigan Warriors and Hull FC respectively.

Widnes Vikings Performance Manager and Academy Coach Shane Eccles has been appointed coach of England Youth for the 2015 season.

RFL Director of Performance and Coaching Jon Roberts said: “I am delighted to be able to welcome Richard, Dave and Shane into their new roles within the England setup. All three have experience coaching within the England programme and these appointments represent a new chapter for everyone.

“We have the highly-anticipated Australian Schools tour coming so naturally we are very happy to have secured the services of Richard and Dave to nurture the country’s top young talent.

“We are seeing the pool of young English talent grow every year and these appointments will go a long way to ensuring the future of English Rugby League is equally as strong.

“I would also like to place on record our thanks to John Winder and Andy Last for the role they both played in the development of the England Academy.”

Richard Marshall said: “I have been in the England setup for a couple of years now, assisting with the Knights. I have really enjoyed working in that setup, at an elite level.

“We have got some great talent coming through in that age group and I am looking forward to working with my own team and getting my own ideas across.

“The Pathway is there to make our players ready to step up to the England Knights and if we can get some top quality players through then that will just make our talent Pathway stronger.”

Shane Eccles, who will take charge of England Youth for the 2015 season said: “It was an honour to be considered and offered this opportunity and I jumped at the chance. I have been involved in the England Youth programme for three years as an assistant and I’m now looking forward to the challenges of heading up the team.

“I have worked with and learnt some valuable lessons from some experienced coaches in the England set up over the three years and I’m looking forward to using that experience whilst also putting my own stamp on the role.”