You are in > manchester.com  > News > RFL confirm Noble exit from GB team

Rugby League

RFL confirm Noble exit from GB team

17/01/2007

The Rugby Football League (RFL) have confirmed they are looking to appoint a new full-time coach for the Great Britain side to replace Brian Noble.

Noble had been in control of the team on a part-time basis with a contract that expired on December 31st, but the RFL have chosen not to renew the deal and instead will set up a permanent post.

Together with assistants Jon Sharp and Dave Lyon, Noble had run the GB team since 2004, combining the job with his commitment to Wigan.

However, with Noble planning to concentrate on his work with Wigan for the remaining two years of his club contract and the RFL looking to go full-time, a new coach will be chosen to lead the side through the up-coming tournaments.

RFL's executive chairman Richard Lewis thanked Brian Noble for his "tremendously valuable contribution" during his six-year tenure with the set-up, saying he had "played a major role in the successes experienced by the Lions in that time".

"Brian was part of the coaching team when Great Britain secured the Baskerville Shield in 2002 in the Test series against New Zealand and he has been at the heart of a number of outstanding performances by the Lions - including the first victory over Australia in Sydney for 18 years," he added.

However, Lewis made clear the RFL would now be planning for the future, with the Rugby League World Cup in 2008 and the Tri-Nations in 2009.

"We will now begin a recruitment process with the aim of delivering an outstanding candidate with world class skills and abilities for this highly prestigious role," he said.

Australian Shaun McRae is among the favourites for the post and is available after stepping down from his role as director of rugby at South Sydney.


© Adfero Ltd