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England head coach Shaun Wane quits ahead of 2026 Rugby League World Cup

Recent results certainly haven't helped.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 14th January 2026

England head coach Shaun Wane has stepped down from his role as the national team setup after more than half a decade in the post.

His resignation comes as the Rugby Football League (RFL) looks to pivot and set out a long-term vision ahead of the World Cup later this year.

The Wigan-born former Warriors manager’s replacement is expected to be merely a part-time appointment as future planning begins.

Announced on Wednesday, 14 January, Shaun Wane’s tenure has ended “effective immediately”.

Sharing an official update online, the RFL wrote: “Wane, who has led England since February 2020, has taken time to reflect on the programme and believes the timing is right for new leadership to guide the team into the next phase, including the upcoming World Cup. 

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“During his tenure, Wane oversaw memorable series victories over Tonga in 2023 and a star-studded Samoa a year later, as well as a semi-final in the World Cup. He finishes with 14 wins from 19 matches.”

Crediting him as one of “a very small elite number of coaches to have won the full suite of domestic club honours and achieved World Club Championship success”, hailing his experience and longevity both as a player and as a coach.

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As for Wane himself, he said: “It has been the honour of my life to coach England Rugby League over the last six years, but after careful reflection, I believe the time is right to step aside and allow the programme to move forward into its next chapter. 

The 61-year-old ex-pro goes on to add, “The privilege of leading my country in a World Cup, an Ashes Series on home soil and securing victories over Tonga and Samoa will live long in the memory.

“I’m incredibly grateful to all the players, coaches and staff I’ve worked alongside during that time; their commitment and professionalism made those moments possible. I wish everyone involved with England Rugby League the best going forward and for the World Cup later this year.” 

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According to the latest reports online, St Helens boss Paul Rowley is now said to be the favourite to take over in the interim.

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is still months away (scheduled to take place in October and November), but the governing body will want to get the new setup and coaching in place as soon as possible to prepare for the tournament.

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Featured Images — Fleets (via WikiCommons)/England Rugby League (screenshot via YouTube)

Sport

Manchester City Women finally secure transfer target after months of pursuit

Danny Jones Danny Jones Sam Coffey joins Man City Women's team

Manchester City Women’s team have finally secured their long-sought-after new signing, Sam Coffey, after months of courting her.

She is Andrée Jeglertz’s first new addition of the January transfer window.

The American midfielder joins Man City Women on a three-and-a-half year contract after having been with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) outfit, Portland Thorns, for the best part of four years.

Officially arriving at the Joie Stadium and wider Etihad Campus this week, she will wear the 17 shirt.

Already a well-established US international, the 27-year-old helped her now former team to the playoff semi-finals as club captain last term and has featured in the NWSL’s team of the season for the last four campaigns running.

The club went after her this past summer but was ultimately unable to get an agreement over the line.

Sam Coffey came through the youth academy ranks in New York, going on to play her college football in Boston and then at Penn State before making her full senior debut for the Thorns back in 2022.

Fast coming on 50 caps for her country and having won Olympic Gold and a SheBelieves Cup in 2024, she pulls on the sky blue of Jeglertz’s current league-leading side, having already won silverware.

Man City never hesitate when it comes to bringing in top talents to further increase their title chances, and an acquisition like this could help them stay the course towards their first-ever Women’s Super League (WSL) trophy.

Commenting in an official club statement, Coffey said: “It’s a club with so much history, so much success, so much influence in the city. Manchester is not somewhere I’ve been before, but there’s something about it that I felt I was led to and called to.

You can find her first full interview as a City women’s player down below.

She goes on to add: “I think it’s also a place that has just proven its investment in women’s soccer and being a part of this movement that is going on.

“Seeing the facilities, the support the team gets, and all the efforts they’re putting in for the women’s side is such a huge and positive side and something I’m honoured to be a part of.”

City face Bournemouth next in the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday, 18 January, before facing fellow title contenders and serial domestic winners Chelsea in the League Cup next week; it remains to be seen when her first appearance will come.

Happy with the business, Blues?

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Featured Images — Hameltion (via Wikimedia Commons)/Manchester City Women’s Football Club

Sport

A scenic trail run event from Manchester to the Peak District is happening this summer

Danny Jones Danny Jones Trail run and hiking marathon from Manchester to the Peaks

For those who love to run or simply lap up the outdoors, a scenic trail event from Manchester all the way to the Peak District is happening this summer.

Whether you fancy running, walking or hiking it, doing a full marathon or a slightly more leisurely 25 kilometres, Trail Escape Manchester 2026 might just be up your street – well, ‘desired path’, maybe.

Yes, with the North West region at large kicking off the New Year well and truly in its running era, yet another endurance event has popped up.

However, if trotting along tarmac isn’t quite your thing, this one that heads up into the hills is a great alternative; plus, you can do it at your own pace and, as mentioned, choose your distance.

Taking place right at the start of the warmest and brightest season, meaning you have the chance of the best weather and the most light possible, Trail Escape MCR 2026 is exactly as advertised: a big long route spanning all the way from one of our best green spaces and up into the Peaks.

Setting off from Phillips Park just a couple of miles beyond the city limits, which lays within the valley of the River Medlock, it’s one of the oldest, largest and most beautiful parks anywhere in the 10 boroughs.

As for the Peak District itself, we don’t need to tell you pretty the vistas are up there: all you may require is a little lay of the land, or rather a teaser.

The best part about these kinds of experiences is enjoying the terrain unfurling itself in front on you.

Starting in central Manchester and preferring as many traffic-free turns on the route as possible, they promise “rolling hills, fields, lakes and woodland beyond”, with the high-point looping around Hartshead Pike up in Tameside.

You can see the full interactive map on Strava below or you can even download the route for yourself.

Participants will of course end back here in Manchester city centre, where the celebrations are sure to be jubilant, and there’s plenty of time for spectators to enjoy local pubs, cafes and more in Mossley before catching everyone at the finish line.

Now, it’s worth reiterating that while this is a timed event, it is NOT a race; any and all attempts at doing this particualrly quickly are completely down to you.

The real beauty of this event, besides the stunning panoromic views stretching across the Peaks and eventually the Manchester skyline off in the distance, is the joy of discovering these landscape that you might otherwise have witnessed solo.

Better still, with this being a full supported event, there’ll be plenty of aid stations throughout the duration, whether you’re doing the 25k or a full trail mara. Sound like a bit of you? Find out more information, including where to sign up, right HERE.

Gosh, all this talk of trails has us fancying a jog and a casual little pint afterwards…

This massive Manchester running club where jogs finish at the pub is the best

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Featured Images — Trail Escape (publicity pictures)

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