Shaun Wane not being drawn on speculation of Wigan return

Shaun Wane is refusing to be drawn on speculation that he could return to his former club Wigan next season.

The Warriors confirmed in August that Adrian Lam would leave his role as head coach at the end of the season to return home to Australia.

Shaun Wane has been linked with a return to Wigan, his hometown club he coached for eight seasons between 2011-18. But the current England boss says he has not agreed anything with any club for 2022 and that he is solely focused on England’s test match against France in Perpignan on October 23.

When asked about a possible return to Wigan, Wane replied: “I’ve not agreed anything with anybody.

“My one focus is the French game coming up with England. I’ve not said anything definite with anybody from Australia or anybody in Super League.”

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Shaun Wane expects tough opposition in France

Wane’s first game in charge of England came in June. His side fell short to a 26-24 defeat to the Combined Nations All Stars in Warrington. His first official test since his appointment will come against France this autumn where he will use it as a chance to look at some of his younger players.

On the French test, Wane said: “I’m trying to pick my best team with a view on the World Cup.

“If I’ve got a choice between a 31-year-old and a 21-year-old, I’m going to go with the 21-year-old in this game if they’re very, very similar because my main focus is to have a really good World Cup next year.”

Wane is expecting a tough encounter in France. He had his own painful introduction to test rugby on that side of the Channel.

He said with a smile: “My first carry, I ran into a bloke called Max Chantal and he smashed my nose all over my face. I can’t remember another thing, knee to head and it was one of the worst games I ever played. That was my introduction to test rugby in France.”

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