England national rugby league team 990422 223959832 2008-07-06T18:27:54Z Poiuytre 1875311 /* External Links */ {{Infobox rugby league nation | Name = England | Badge = EnglandRugbyLeagueLions.jpg | Badge_size = 150px | Nickname = The Lions | Association = [[Rugby Football League]] | Region = [[Europe]] | Coach = {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Tony Smith (Australian rugby league coach)|Tony Smith]] | Captain = {{flagicon|England}} [[Jamie Peacock]] | Home Stadium = None | RLIF Rank = 3rd | Most caps = [[Joe Egan (rugby league)|Joe Egan]] (21) | Top try-scorer = [[Alf Ellaby]] (13) | Top goal-scorer = [[George Fairbairn (rugby league)|George Fairbairn]] (52) | Top point-scorer = [[George Fairbairn (rugby league)|George Fairbairn]] (99) | pattern_la1=|pattern_b1=|pattern_ra1= _redshoulders|pattern_la1= _redshoulders | leftarm1=FFFFFF|body1=FFFFFF|rightarm1=FFFFFF|shorts1=FFFFFF|socks1=FF0000 | First game = {{flagicon|Great Britain}} [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Other Nationalities]] 9 - 3 England {{flagicon|England}}<br/>([[Wigan]], [[England]]; [[5 April]] [[1904]]) | Largest win = {{flagicon|USA}} [[United States national rugby league team|USA]] 0 - 110 England {{flagicon|England}}<br/>([[Florida]], [[USA]]; October 2000 | Largest loss = {{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] 49 - 6 England {{flagicon|England}}<br/>([[Bolton]], [[England]]; [[18 November]] [[2000]]) | World cup apps = 3 | World cup first = 1975 | World cup best = Runners-up, [[1975 Rugby League World Cup|1975]]; [[1995 Rugby League World Cup|1995]] }} The '''England national rugby league team''' represent [[England]] in international [[rugby league]] tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain team]], who also represented [[Wales]], [[Scotland]] and [[Ireland]]. The team is run under the auspices of the [[Rugby Football League]]. From 2008 the team will participate in all [[Rugby League World Cup|World Cup's]], [[Rugby League Tri-Nations|Tri-Nations's]], and test matches<ref>[http://www.therfl.co.uk/home/news_item_top.php?id=9551 The Rugby Football League - Brand England Launched] Retrieved on [[24 May]] [[2008]].</ref>. The team dates back to 1904 when they played against a mixture of Welsh and Scottish players in [[Wigan]]<ref>[http://www.rl1895.com/1904.htm RL1895 - The First International] Retrieved on [[6 June]] [[2008]].</ref>. Since then, and right up until the 1950s, they regularly toured [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]] and played both home and away matches against neighbours [[Wales]] and [[France]]. But when it was decided that Great Britain would tour the [[Southern Hemisphere]] instead of England, France and Wales became the only regular opponents. Even then though, there are some long periods where England barely played any matches. Their first appearance in the [[Rugby League World Cup]] was in 1975, and since then they have become runners-up in [[1975 Rugby League World Cup|1975]] and [[1995 Rugby League World Cup|1995]], the latter tournament being held in England. In 2008 they will compete in the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|2008 World Cup]] in Australia. For many years England also competed in the [[European Nations Cup (rugby league)|European Nations Cup]] and in 2006, the [[Federation Shield]]. In the past England's main rivals have been [[Wales national rugby league team|Wales]] and [[France national rugby league team|France]], with the rivalry stretching back to 1908 and 1934 respectively. However now England's main rivals would be [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]], [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] and to a lesser extent, [[France national rugby league team|France]]. Traditionally a predominantly white kit is worn containing white shorts and socks. However the shirt usually contains some form of red, like red stripes, crosses or chevrons. These colours are similar to other English sporting teams and are the colours used on the national flag. In 2008 a new kit was introduced featuring a red cross on the front and red strips down the sides of the shirt, shorts and socks were white too with red strips<ref>[http://www.englandrl.co.uk/article.php?id=10801 England Official Website - New Shirt Launched] Retrieved on [[18 June]] [[2008]].</ref>. Also in 2008 the Rugby Football League chose to abandon the traditional English lion on the badge in favour of a much simpler shield and [[St George cross|cross]] design<ref>[http://www.englandrl.co.uk/article.php?id=9550 England Official Website - New Logo] Retrieved on [[18 June]] [[2008]].</ref>, nevertheless the team will still be known as "The Lions". Currently the team are ranked third in the world, behind [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] and [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]]. But they are ranked first in Europe, ahead of [[France national rugby league team|France]] and [[Ireland national rugby league team|Ireland]]. Australian [[Tony Smith]], who has since taken out British citizenship<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7181643.stm BBC Sport - Smith To Become British Citizen] Retrieved on [[6 June]] [[2008]].</ref>, became the new head coach in 2007 and [[Jamie Peacock]] is captain, having played for England since 2000. ==History== [[Image:England-jersey.GIF|left|thumb|The England team shirt]] ===The First Matches=== In 1895 twenty-one clubs split with the [[Rugby Football Union]], citing that they wanted to play professionally, and formed the [[Northern Union]]. The twenty-one clubs were all from Northern England and the players were largely working class. However it was not just English players who made the switch, Scottish and Welsh players also switched allegiance to the new code, wanting payments for playing. Switching heightened in the early 20th centruy with more Scottish and Welsh players leaving the RFU than ever before. The [[England national rugby union team]] had been playing international matches since 1871, but it was not until 1904, nine years after the formation of the new code, that an international rugby league match was played. At the start of 1903 season the Northern Union thought about international matches and scheduled a match for England on New Years Day 1904 in Oldham. On that day though the ground was frosty and the match was cancelled and it was rescheduled for April. On the [[5 April]] [[1904]] England competed against a team called "Other Nationalities", who were made up of ten Welshman and two Scotsman, including George Frater who captained the Other Nationalities side. It was a period of experimentation for the Northern Union and each team had twelve players, not thirteen. At [[Central Park]], [[Wigan]] the ground was muddy and in poor condition, however the match went ahead. England steamed into a 3-0 lead, from a try by [[Warrington Wolves|Warringtons]] Jackie Fish. This is despite [[Salford City Reds|Salfords]] Jim Lomas arriving late and cauing England to start the match with eleven players. Fish missed the conversion and so the Other Nationalities were able to level the scores a little later, Welshman Thomas crashing over for a try. The conversion was missed and going into half-time the score was tied 3-3. In the second half Thomas went over for another try before [[Wigan Warriors|Wigans]] Harris sealed a 9-3 win for the Other Nationalities in the final minutes of the match. A total of 6,000 spectators turned up for the match, which was considered a poor showing despite a Broughton Rangers v Bradford cup clash being scheduled on the same day. In 1905 a match between the two sides was played at Bradford. This time England won 26-11 even though they were losing 11-0 at half-time. Wigans Jim Leytham scored four tries in succession, a record that still stand today<ref>[http://fluidab1.memset.net/~englandr/proud_past.php England Official Website - A Proud Past] Retrieved on [[18 June]] [[2008]].</ref>. The match was played with fifteen players on each side and so was the 1906 match. Played in Wigan again, the match finished a 3-3 draw. The concept was abandoned after the 1906 match. By 1908 the game had expanded much more into [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]] and [[Wales]] and England began playing those teams. The Other Nationalities side did return in 1921. ===Kangeroo Tours=== ===1975 World Cup=== England played at the [[1975 Rugby League World Cup|World Cup in 1975]], which was played over several months in both hemispheres on a league basis. Normally [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] would represent England in the World Cup, but the RLIF wanted to capitalise on the large amount of Welsh players in the game at the time, and so England and Wales fielded separate teams. England won their first match, a 20-2 victory over France in Leeds in March. In June the Lions suffered their first defeat in just their second match of the tournament, losing 12-7 against a strong Wales side in Brisbane. A little later England managed to hold on for a draw against Australia in Sydney, the final score being 10-10. And they also picked up a point in Auckland, drawing 17-17 against New Zealand. At the end of October, after the domestic season had finished, England beat the Welsh 22-16 in Warrington and then crossed the [[English Channel]] to thrash a French side 48-2 in Bordeaux. Bradford played host the England versus New Zealand match, in which England won comfortably 27-12. At the start of November, England squeezed past Australia winning 16-13 in November at Wigan. This meant that the Kangeroos had finished on 13 points, with the Lions on 12 points. Australia were deemed champions by finishing top of the table, but because they had not beaten England a final match was quickly arranged. Australia beat England 25-0 at Leeds to clinch their fourth title. ===1995 World Cup=== In the [[1995 Rugby League World Cup|1995 World Cup]] England were coached by [[Phil Larder]]. The Lions got off to a flying start beating Australia 20-16 in the opening game at Wembley, then hammering [[Fiji national rugby league team|Fiji]] and [[South Africa national rugby league team|South Africa]] in the remaining group games to finish top of group A. This set up a semi-final game at Old Trafford against Wales. England won the tussle 25-10 to reach the World Cup final, but they lost 16-8 to Australia at [[Wembley Stadium (1924)|Wembley Stadium]]. [[John Kear]] was coach of England for the [[2000 Rugby League World Cup|World Cup in 2000]]. Compared to 1995, England had little success, losing their opening game at [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]] 22-2 against [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]]. But they won their remaining two pool games against [[Fiji national rugby league team|Fiji]] and [[Russia national rugby league team|Russia]]. A surprising display by [[Ireland national rugby league team|Ireland]] in the quarter-finals, saw England scrape through to the semi-finals 26-16. England then lost 49-6 to [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] at [[Bolton]] and were knocked out of the tournament. In October 1999, England met France in Carcassonne. The England team were without players involved with Great Britain, who were in [[Queensland]] for the Tri-Nations competition. The French fielded an experienced and talented squad but in the end England narrowly won 28-20. In 2002 England toured [[Fiji]] and [[Tonga]]. [[Karl Harrison]] became England coach in July 2004 replacing John Kear. He led England to European Nations Cup success in 2004 and coached them to a win over France and a narrow defeat by New Zealand in 2005. Harrison stepped down, citing family reasons in August 2006 and was replaced by [[Paul Cullen (rugby league)|Paul Cullen]]. England took part in the [[Federation Shield]] in the Autumn 2006, which they won. ==Badge== [[Image:Old England RL Logo.jpg|right|thumb|100px|The old logo was used until 2008.]] ===The Lions Crest=== The badge was originally a combination of the [[St. George's cross]], the [[Coat of arms of England|Three Lions Coat of Arms of England]] and [[Tudor rose|Tudor Rose]]. It was similar to most other English sporting badges, such as the [[England national football team]], [[England national rugby union team]] and the [[English national cricket team]] which all promote similar attributes. ===The Shield Crest=== The new official logo was launched on the 6th of February 2008 on the rugby league magazine programme [[Boots N' All]]. The cross of St George is positioned across a three-dimensional shield within the design. The date "1895" is placed through the centre of the cross, symbolizing the birth of rugby league. Many people involved in the sport were consulted throughout the design process, which took a little under a year. The logo will be used for the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|2008 World Cup]] and many future events and tournaments. ==2008== [[Image:FranceEnglandRLTestLogo.jpg|right|thumb|150px|This was the first time that England played [[France national rugby league team|France]] in [[France]] since [[1999]] when England won 28-20 in [[Carcassonne]].]] {{main|England national rugby league team season 2008}} From 2008 onwards, the England team will compete in all World Cups, international tournaments and Test series. This is instead of playing as [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]]. This will support the RFL’s strategy for the growth and development of the sport in this country and throughout Europe. The separation of Great Britain will also create an important opportunity for the [[Celtic Nations]] to drive the growth of the game in their territories<ref>[http://www.therfl.co.uk/home/news_item_top.php?id=9551 The Rugby Football League - Brand England Launched] Retrieved on [[7 February]] [[2008]].</ref>. ===News=== * 10th January - Head coach Tony Smith is set to become a British citizen having lived in Great Britain for 8 years<ref>[http://www.therfl.co.uk/international/news_item.php?id=9339 Rugby Football League - Smith To Become British] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7181643.stm BBC Sport - Smith To Become British Citizen] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref>. * 6th February - The new England logo is launched featuring the St George's Cross on a shield<ref>[http://www.therfl.co.uk/international/news_item.php?id=9550 Rugby Football League - New England Logo launched] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=9550 Super League Official Website - New England Logo Launched] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref>. * 19th March - The RFL announced that England would face France as part of their World Cup preparations in Toulouse at the end of June<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7305561.stm BBC Sport - England Facing trip To Toulouse] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://www.therfl.co.uk/international/news_item.php?id=9954 RFL - Mid Season International Confirmed] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_3324309,00.html Sky Sports - England Set For French Test] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref>. * 13th June - "Hearts Of England", a song performed by tenor [[Jonathan Ansell]] will be specifically used as the official song for the England team for the World Cup campaign<ref>[http://www.englandrl.co.uk/~englandr/article.php?id=10800 England RL - Classical Tenor Records England World Cup Song] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref>. * 16th June - The England shirt that will used in the World Cup is revealed at [[Bolton Castle]] in [[North Yorkshire]]<ref>[http://www.therfl.co.uk/international/news_item.php?id=10853 Rugby Football League - England Shirt Launched] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://www.englandrl.co.uk/~englandr/article.php?id=10801 England RL - World Cup Shirt Launched] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7458069.stm BBC News - New Kit And Captain Revealed] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=10836 Super League Official Website - Shirt Launch Video] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref>. It was later announced that the shirt is the fastest selling yet<ref>[http://www.englandrl.co.uk/~englandr/article.php?id=10870 England RL - New Shirt Is Fastest Selling Yet] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref>. * 16th June - It was confirmed that Jamie Peacock would captain the team for the international test match against France<ref>[http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=10799 Super League Official Website - Peacock Is England Captain] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref>. * 16th June - The new official England website is launched with History, Stats, News and Video sections<ref>[http://www.englandrl.co.uk/~englandr/article.php?id=10822 England RL - England Website Launched] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref>. * 19th June - England will meet Wales in [[Doncaster]] as their last opponents before the World Cup<ref>[http://www.therfl.co.uk/international/news_item.php?id=10867 Rugby Football League - England To Meet Wales] Retrieved on [[20 June]] [[2008]].</ref>. * 23rd June - Tony Smith announces the 19 players in his squad to face France<ref>[http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=10910 Super League Official Website - England Squad On England TV] Retrieved on [[25 June]] [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_3726682,00.html Sky Sports - Fox Handed England Chance] Retrieved on [[25 June]] [[2008]].</ref>. * 27th June - England comfortably beat France in Toulouse, the match ending 8-56 with [[Martin Gleeson]] scoring his first international hat-trick<ref>[http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/sportsnews/topstories/2008/06/28/rugby-league-france-8-56-england-hat-trick-hero-martin-gleeson-leads-the-way-89520-20624124/ The Mirror - Hat Trick Hero Martin Gleeson Leads The Way] Retrieved on [[2 July]] [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/sport/2008/06/28/sorugl128.xml The Daily Telegraph - Leon Pryce Drives England Win In France] Retrieved on [[2 July]] [[2008]].</ref>. ===Fixtures=== {| class="wikitable" width=100% |- !width=20%|Date !width=40%|Team !width=20%|Venue !width=20%|Competition |- | 10th October || [[Wales national rugby league team|Wales]] || [[Doncaster]] || Friendly |- | 25th October || [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team|Papua New Guinea]] || [[Townsville, Australia|Townsville]] || [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|World Cup]] |- | 2nd November || [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] || [[Melbourne]] || [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|World Cup]] |- | 8th November || [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] || [[Newcastle, Australia|Newcastle]] || [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|World Cup]] |- |} ===Results=== {| class="wikitable" width=100% |- !width=20%|Date !width=40%|Result !width=20%|Venue !width=20%|Competition |- | 28th June || [[France national rugby league team|France]] 8-56 England || [[Toulouse]] || Test |- |} ==Squad== The following 19 man squad will face [[France national rugby league team|France]] on the [[27th June]] [[2008]]. The team, picked by Tony Smith, was announced on the [[23rd June]] [[2008]]. {| class="wikitable sortable" width=99% |- !width=25%|Name !width=15%|DOB !width=15%|Position !width=21%|Club !width=7%|Caps !width=7%|Points |- | [[Sam Burgess]]||align=center| [[December 14]], [[1988]] ||align=center| Prop | [[Image:Bullscolours.svg|16px]] [[Bradford Bulls]] ||align=center|0 ||align=center|0 |- | [[Rob Burrow]]||align=center| [[September 26]], [[1982]] ||align=center| Scrum Half ||align=left| [[Image:Rhinoscolours.svg|16px]] [[Leeds Rhinos]] ||align=center|3 ||align=center|28 |- | [[Gareth Ellis]]||align=center| [[May 3]], [[1981]] ||align=center| Second Row ||align=left| [[Image:Rhinoscolours.svg|16px]] [[Leeds Rhinos]] ||align=center|0 ||align=center|0 |- | [[Maurie Fa'asavalu]]||align=center| [[January 12]], [[1980]] ||align=center| Prop ||align=left| [[Image:Saintscolours.svg|16px]] [[St Helens RFC|St Helens]] ||align=center|0 ||align=center|0 |- | [[Peter Fox (rugby league born 1984)|Peter Fox ]]||align=center| [[November 5]], [[1984]] ||align=center| Winger ||align=left| [[Image:HKRcolours.svg|16px]] [[Hull Kingston Rovers]] ||align=center|0 ||align=center|0 |- | [[Ade Gardner]]||align=center| [[June 26]], [[1983]] ||align=center| Winger ||align=left|[[Image:Saintscolours.svg|16px]] [[St Helens RFC|St Helens]] ||align=center|1 ||align=center|0 |- | [[Martin Gleeson]]||align=center| [[May 25]], [[1980]] ||align=center| Centre ||align=left| [[Image:Wolvescolours.svg|16px]] [[Warrington Wolves]] ||align=center|1 ||align=center|0 |- | [[James B Graham|James Graham]]||align=center|[[September 10]], [[1985]] ||align=center| Prop||align=left|[[Image:Saintscolours.svg|16px]][[St Helens RFC|St Helens]] ||align=center|0 ||align=center|0 |- | [[Danny McGuire]]||align=center| [[December 6]], [[1982]] ||align=center| Stand Off ||align=left| [[Image:Rhinoscolours.svg|16px]] [[Leeds Rhinos]] ||align=center|0 ||align=center|0 |- | | [[Adrian Morley]]||align=center| [[May 10]], [[1977]] ||align=center| Second Row ||align=left| [[Image:Wolvescolours.svg|16px]] [[Warrington Wolves]] ||align=center|3 ||align=center|0 |- | [[Jamie Peacock]]||align=center| [[December 14]], [[1977]] ||align=center| Prop ||align=left| [[Image:Rhinoscolours.svg|16px]] [[Leeds Rhinos]] ||align=center|5 ||align=center|28 |- | [[Leon Pryce]]||align=center| [[October 9]], [[1981]] ||align=center| Stand Off ||align=left|[[Image:Saintscolours.svg|16px]] [[St Helens RFC|St Helens]] ||align=center|4 ||align=center|8 |- | [[James Roby]]||align=center| [[November 22]], [[1985]] ||align=center| Hooker ||align=left| [[Image:Saintscolours.svg|16px]] [[St Helens RFC|St Helens]] ||align=center|0 ||align=center|0 |- | [[Keith Senior]]||align=center| [[April 24]], [[1976]] ||align=center| Centre ||align=left| [[Image:Rhinoscolours.svg|16px]] [[Leeds Rhinos]] ||align=center|5 ||align=center|8 |- | | [[Kevin Sinfield]]||align=center| [[September 12]], [[1980]] ||align=center| Loose Forward ||align=left| [[Image:Rhinoscolours.svg|16px]] [[Leeds Rhinos]] ||align=center|4 ||align=center|12 |- |[[Paul Wellens]]||align=center| [[February 27]], [[1980]] ||align=center| Full Back ||align=left| [[Image:Saintscolours.svg|16px]] [[St Helens RFC|St Helens]] ||align=center|6 ||align=center|12 |- | | [[Joe Westerman]]||align=center| [[November 15]], [[1989]] ||align=center| Loose Forward ||align=left| [[Image:Cascolours.png|16px]] [[Castleford Tigers]] ||align=center|0 ||align=center|0 |- | | [[Ben Westwood]]||align=center| [[July 25]], [[1981]] ||align=center| Second Row ||align=left| [[Image:Wolvescolours.svg|16px]] [[Warrington Wolves]] ||align=center|4 ||align=center|8 |- | [[Jon Wilkin]]||align=center| [[November 1]], [[1983]] ||align=center| Second Row ||align=left| [[Image:Saintscolours.svg|16px]] [[St Helens RFC|St Helens]] ||align=center|3 ||align=center|0 |- |} ==Competitions== ===World Cup=== England have competed three times in the [[Rugby League World Cup|World Cup]], in [[1975 Rugby League World Cup|1975]], [[1995 Rugby League World Cup|1995]] and [[2000 Rugby League World Cup|2000]]. They have never won the competition, although finished second to Australia in 1975 and 1995. In every other year [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] have represented England. In 2008 England will play in the World Cup in Australia and from 2008, England will compete in all World Cups. ===European Nations Cup=== England have competed in twenty-six European Nations Cups, the first in 1935. In the past the tournament has been axed and revived many times, and it was stopped for six years because of the Second World War. From 1935 to 1949 (minus the war years) England played France and Wales annually, and won the tournament in 1935, 1946, 1947 and 1948. From 1950 to 1956 an Other Nationalities team were added as the fourth team in the competition (except in 1956 when Wales did not field a team). During those years England won in 1950 and 1954. Since then the tournament has run for some seasons, but never for more than five years at a time. But from 1970 to 1996 England won it six out of a possible nine times. In 2003 the tournament was revived and England confortably won, beating her old rivals plus Scotland, Ireland and Russia. England beat the same opponents to win the cup again in 2004. This was the last time England competed, they were replaced by Georgia. The cup ran for just one more year before it was axed again. It has not since returned. In total England have won the cup fourteen times. ===Federation Shield=== England competed in the only [[Federation Shield]] competition in 2006. The tournament was held in England and France and was contested by England, Tonga, Samoa and France. England won their three group matches in Leeds, London and Hull before beating Tonga 32-14 in Widnes. The tournament was axed due to poor attendances, particularly in England. ===Four Nations=== It has already been confirmed that England will replace Great Britain for all international tournaments from 2008, but there is believed to be a Four Nations competition scheduled for 2009 which will be contested by Australia, England, France and New Zealand. ==Coaches== {| class="wikitable" width=99% |- !width=35%|Name !width=6%|Nationality !width=20%|Tenure !width=10%|Matches !width=6%|Won !width=6%|Drew !width=6%|Lost !width=10%|Win % |- |[[Phil Larder]] || [[Image:Flag of England.svg|border|30px]] || 1995-? || ? || ? || ? || ? || ? |- |[[John Kear]] || [[Image:Flag of England.svg|border|30px]] || 2000 - July 2004 || ? || ? || ? || ? || ? |- |[[Karl Harrison]] || [[Image:Flag of England.svg|border|30px]] || July 2004 - August 2006 || ? || ? || ? || ? || ? |- |[[Paul Cullen]] || [[Image:Flag of England.svg|border|30px]] || August 2006 - October 2008 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- |[[Tony Smith]] || [[Image:Flag of Australia.svg|border|30px]] || October 2008 - Present || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- |} ==Statistics== ===Rankings=== * World Ranking: 3rd (2007) * European Ranking: 1st (2008) ===Team=== * Highest winning score: 76-4 v Russia at St Helens (World Cup), 1 November 2000 * Widest winning margin: 76-4 v Russia at St Helens (World Cup), 1 November 2000 * Highest losing score: 49-6 v New Zealand at Bolton (World Cup), 18 November 2000 * Widest losing margin: 49-6 v New Zealand at Bolton (World Cup), 18 November 2000 ===Individual=== * Most tries in a match: 4 by Jim Leytham (Wigan) v Other Nationalities at Bradford, 2 January 1905, Stan Moorhouse (Huddersfield) v Wales at Plymouth, 15 February 1913, Peter Norburn (Swinton) v Other Nationalities at Wigan, 28 November 1953, Keith Fielding (Salford) v France at Bordeaux, 11 October 1975, Stuart Wright (Widnes) v Wales at St. Helens, 28 May 1978, Martin Offiah (Wigan) v France at Gateshead, 12 June 1996 * Most goals in a match: 9 by Geoff Pimblett (St. Helens) v Wales at St. Helens, 28 May 1978, Andrew Farrell (Wigan) v Fiji (World Cup) at Leeds, 4 November 2000 * Most points in a match: 22 (2t, 7g) by Steve Prescott (St. Helens) v France at Gateshead, 12 June 1996, (1t, 9g) by Andrew Farrell (Wigan) v Fiji (World Cup) at Leeds, 4 November 2000 ===Other=== * Biggest home attendance: 66,000 v Australia at Wembley (World Cup Final), 28 October 1995 ==Record== {{main|England national rugby league team match results}} ===Overall=== The first ever match for England was against a mixture of Welsh and Scottish players calling themselves the "Other Nationalities" in 1904. This match was lost, but England won a year later against the same opposition. In 1908 England first played a touring team, New Zealand. The first match played out of England was a little later in 1908 in [[Tonypandy]], [[Wales]]. In 1975 they played Papua New Guinea for the first and only time so far. More recently in the 1995 and 2000 World Cup's, England has faced new opposition in teams like South Africa, Fiji and Ireland. {| class="sortable wikitable" |- ! Against ! Played ! Won ! Lost ! Drawn ! % Won |- bgcolor="#d0ffd0" align="center" |- | align="left" | {{rl|WAL}} || 60 || 42 || 16 || 2 || 70% |- | align="left" | {{rl|FRA}} || 37 || 28 || 7 || 2 || 75.6% |- | align="left" | {{flagicon|Wales}}{{flagicon|Scotland}} Other Nationalities || 16 || 8 || 7 || 1 || 50% |- | align="left" | {{rl|AUS}} || 16 || 9 || 5 || 2 || 56.3% |- | align="left" | {{rl|NZL}} || 5 || 3 || 1 || 1 || 60% |- | align="left" | {{rl|TON}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- | align="left" | {{rl|FIJ}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- | align="left" | {{rl|SAM}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- | align="left" | {{rl|PNG}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- | align="left" | {{rl|RUS}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- | align="left" | {{rl|IRE}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 100% |- | align="left" | {{rl|RSA}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100% |-class="sortbottom" ! Total || 144 || 100 || 36 || 8 || 70% |} ===Rugby League World Cup=== Please note that before 1975, and after 1975 until 1995, [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] represented England as well as Scotland, Wales and Ireland, and so England did not compete in those tournaments despite many players from those Great Britain teams being English. In 1975 Wales were considered to be good enough for their own team, and so Great Britain split into England and Wales for the competition. This is similar to the 1995 tournament and also the 2000 competition in which Ireland and Scotland also competed as well as England and Wales. {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- !Year !Round !Position !Won !Drawn !Lost !Pts Scored !Pts Against |- |{{flagicon|World}} [[1975 Rugby League World Cup|1975]]||''No stages''||2nd||5||2||1||167||84 |- |{{flagicon|UK}} [[1995 Rugby League World Cup|1995]]||Final||2nd||4||0||1||145||42 |- |{{flagicon|UK}}{{flagicon|France}} [[2000 Rugby League World Cup|2000]]||Semi-Final||3rd/4th||3||0||2||176||95 |- |{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Rugby League World Cup|2008]]||-||-||-||-||-||-||- |} ==Other England Teams== In addition to the England team, there has also been an '''England "Lionhearts"''' and '''England A''' team selected since 2002. ===England A=== The England A team is made up of selected players from the [[Super League (Europe)|Super League]], who are not yet ready for selection in the main England team. In 2003 and 2004, England A participated in the [[Rugby League European Nations Cup|European Nations Cup]]. ===England Lionhearts=== England Lionhearts are selected from players in the [[Rugby League Conference]]<ref>[http://englandlionhearts.co.uk/?c=News England Lionhearts Official Website - News] Retrieved on [[5 February]] [[2007]].</ref>. But they started playing as the "The Rugby League Conference Lionhearts", playing other representative teams. In 2000 they competed in the first round of the [[Rugby League Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]] losing against Eccles, and losing to Featherstone Lions in the same round in [[2001]]. In 2002 they changed their name to the England Lionhearts, so that they could compete in the Amateur Four Nations competitions against Wales A, Scotland A and Ireland A each year. Likewise those teams are made up of domestic talent in those countries. In [[2006]] they halted the Welsh dominance of the competition, winning the tournament for the first time. But they were unable to hold onto their trophy, finishing third in 2007 behind Wales and Ireland<ref>[http://englandlionhearts.co.uk/?s=homenations England Lionhearts Official Website - Home Nations Standings] Retrieved on [[2 July]] [[2008]].</ref>. In October 2005 the Lionhearts played the [[Malta national rugby league team|Malta national team]], in what was the first ever rugby league game played in [[Malta]]. The Lionhearts lost 36-6. On the 6th May 2006 the team played Serbia in [[Pancevo]] and won 50-4. ==Famous Players== {{col-begin-small}} {{col-4}} * [[Billy Batten]] * [[Shaun Edwards]] * [[Andrew Farrell]] * [[Neil Fox (rugby league footballer)|Neil Fox]] * [[Ellery Hanley]] * [[Willie Horne]] {{col-4}} * [[Vince Karalius]] * [[Joe Lydon]] * [[Roger Millward]] * [[Alex Murphy (rugby league footballer)|Alex Murphy]] * [[Steve Norton]] * [[Martin Offiah]] {{col-4}} * [[Jonty Parkin]] * [[Malcolm Reilly]] * [[Jason Robinson]] * [[Garry Schofield]] * [[Cec Thompson]] * [[Harold Wagstaff]] * [[Lee Jackson]] {{col-end}} ==See Also== * [[Rugby league in England]] * [[Rugby Football League]] * [[British Rugby League Hall of Fame]] * [[England national rugby league team match results]] * [[Great Britain national rugby league team]] == References == <references/> ==External Links== * [http://www.englandrl.co.uk/~englandr/index.php England Rugby League Team Official Website] * [http://www.therfl.co.uk/international/ Rugby Football League Internationals] * [http://www.rlwc08.com/ 2008 Rugby League World Cup Official Website] * [http://www.rlef.eu.com/ Rugby League European Federation] * [http://www.rugbyleagueonline.co.uk/bpm/SVLnet.html?siteId=528 Official England Shop] {{British Rugby League links}} {{Rugby League in Europe}} {{International Rugby League}} [[Category:International rugby league teams]] [[Category:Rugby league in England]] [[Category:National sports teams of England|Rugby league]] [[fr:Équipe d'Angleterre de rugby à XIII]]