Powell named as England rugby league assistant coach

Powell comes to the post with a wealth of experience in the game

Former Great Britain international Daryl Powell has been appointed as assistant to England rugby league head coach Steve McNamara.

Powell, 45, is currently head coach of Championship club Featherstone Rovers.

He won 33 caps for Great Britain and was head coach of Leeds from 2001-03 before a spell with rugby union side Leeds Carnegie.

He will work alongside McNamara and his other assistant James Lowes ahead of the end-of-season Four Nations.

Powell returned to rugby league with Rovers two years ago and took them to last September's Grand Final.

"This is a terrific opportunity for me and one I'm really looking forward to being involved with," he said.

"Steve and the RFL performance department have put in place an outstanding programme with the elite training squad and the Knights programmes which I'm sure will give England the best possible chance to achieve our ambitions going forward.

"Although Featherstone are a part-time club, I'm employed full-time there and will work exceptionally hard to ensure my involvement with England doesn't interfere with what we have been doing at the club."

McNamara added: "Daryl has a wealth of experience and I was delighted when he agreed to join us for what promises to be a very exciting period for international rugby league.

"As a player, Daryl was a model professional and he has carried that integrity across to his coaching career. I'm sure all the players involved in the England programme will benefit from his vast knowledge."

Powell will join McNamara, the rest of the England backroom staff and the 32-strong elite training squad on Sunday when they meet for a two-day camp at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire.