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Rugby League

Cullen named new England rugby league boss

08/08/2006

Paul Cullen has been named the new head coach of the England rugby league national team, succeeding Karl Harrison who quit on Friday.

Salford City Reds coach Harrison stepped down after two years in the job and Cullen, the current Warrington Wolves coach, was the unanimous choice for chiefs at the Rugby Football League (RFL).

He previously worked as assistant to Harrison's predecessor John Kear on the 2002 tour of Fiji and Tonga and he is confident he can make the step up.

"I've been part of the elite coaching programme ever since I was a rookie coach with Whitehaven in National League One and I am delighted to be given this opportunity to coach in international rugby league," he said.

"Like my predecessor Karl Harrison I took time out to develop my coaching career at club level and now I'm really pleased to return to the international arena.

"It has been an ambition of mine to coach an international team and I'm very honoured to be appointed to the England team."

RFL performance director Graeme Thompson added: "We've been developing career pathways for young British coaches and Paul's appointment as coach to the England team is part of that programme.

"We're grateful for all the work Karl has put into the development of the England team and I'm sure Paul and his coaching team will be of equal benefit to the players coming into the side as well as British rugby league's international development."

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