Master coach Wayne Bennett continues to rub English rugby league administrators and fans the wrong way, with the Rugby Football League vetoing his planned England warm-weather training camp.
Brisbane Broncos maestro Bennett, appointed to prepare England for next year's Rugby League World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, was set to take 17 leading Super League players for a two-week training camp in Dubai in early January.
However, Super League club coaches have criticised the camp, claiming it would disrupt their preparations for the 2017 Super League season and the RFL seems to agree.
"Following further discussions with Super League clubs, the England coaching staff and RFL have reflected on all views and concluded that the plans that are now in place would not deliver what was initially expected," said a spokeman.
The shock announcement further undermines the position of Bennett, who has also proposed a mid-year international in Sydney as an essential part of the World Cup build-up.