England National Team Coach Shaun Wane Sidelined for France Clash
England rugby league team’s head coach Shaun Wane will miss the upcoming mid-season international against France this weekend due to an unexpected medical procedure. Assistant coach Andy Last will instead lead the national side in Wane’s absence as they prepare for the Test series against Samoa later this year.
Wane underwent emergency surgery on Tuesday evening after complications arose from a previous ankle operation. While the procedure has been deemed successful in addressing the infection and issues stemming from the initial operation, Wane has been ruled out of traveling to France and will instead watch the match from his hospital bed.
“He’s on the road to recovery and looking forward to watching us from his hospital bed. Hopefully we put in a strong performance for him to be proud of,” said Last, emphasizing that the players have dealt with similar adversity in their club careers and are prepared to excel in Wane’s absence.
Last, who flew in from France to take charge of Wednesday’s training session, has confirmed he will be the one guiding the team during Saturday’s clash in Toulouse. However, Wane will remain involved in the team’s preparations, providing input on player selection and having access to training footage and analysis.
Despite the late change in leadership, Last insists the team’s preparations have not been significantly disrupted, as he has been communicating closely with Wane before and after training sessions to ensure a seamless transition. Wane’s expertise and guidance will still play a crucial role in the team’s performance on game day.
This mid-season international against France serves as England’s only warm-up match ahead of the highly anticipated Test series against Samoa later in 2022. The squad will be eager to deliver a strong showing and make Wane proud from afar as he continues his recovery.
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