Millward decides to stay with St Helens

Ian Millward, the St Helens coach, has turned down an offer to coach Wests-Tigers in his native Australia. Millward was offered the job at the Sydney club on a three-year deal, but has told them he wants to stay at Saints, where he has won everything in the British game in his three seasons in charge.

"I had a chat with Wests-Tigers and I was very impressed with where the club is trying to go. It's just that I'm not ready to bring my family back and I want to finish my contract at Saints.

Millward is now expected to agree an extended contract at Saints, although it is likely to include a release clause.

The Wigan chairman, Maurice Lindsay, says that the Great Britain coach, David Waite, is not the man to put the national side on the field. "He has a lot to offer our game but I question whether putting a passionate Pommie team on the field is the right niche for him,'' he said.

Great Britain should send their best young players to Australia for the intensive training, according to one of the Australians' experts in junior development. Peter Mulholland, who coached Paris St-Germain in Super League and is now football manager at Penrith, wants a squad of the best young British players to compete with their contemporaries in Sydney.

He also believes that the British game must drastically reduce its number of overseas players if it is to produce a side to beat Australia. "All the players in decision-making positions are imported and that is no good for the development of young British talent,'' he said.