League: Wayne Bennett to coach England - reports

Wayne Bennett. Photo / Getty

Wayne Bennett will replace Steve McNamara as the England rugby league team coach, according to a report in the UK.

Sky Sports says the Brisbane NRL coach will be announced as England boss in the coming days, taking over from Sydney Roosters assistant McNamara who has been at the helm since 2010.

Bennett's Broncos take on English side Wigan in the World Club Series on February 20.

After losing out to Mal Meninga for the Kangaroos gig in December, former Australia mentor Bennett said he would consider being a head coach of a rival nation.

The 66-year-old weaved his magic with New Zealand in 2008 as an assistant to Stephen Kearney, helping the Kiwis to a World Cup victory.

Dual international and former Newcastle NRL and Great Britain winger Brian Carney had mixed feelings on the expected appointment of Bennett.

"On the one hand you have arguably the greatest coach in the history of the game, a man committed to the international game, lending his expertise, experiences and aura to the English national team which will inspire every single player that plays for him. I would have considered it a career highlight to have been coached by Wayne," Carney told Sky.

"That should see England performances lift to the levels needed to win the Four Nations

"On the other hand I feel that Brian McDermott or Shaun Wane may have also been able to lift the English team up a notch too."

- AAP