McNamara confirmed as England boss

(GETTY IMAGES)

Steve McNamara was today named as the new England coach.

The 38-year-old former Great Britain forward was, as expected, named as the successor to Tony Smith at a news conference in Manchester after being his assistant for the last three years.

McNamara will initially combine the role with his current position as head coach of Bradford and will go full-time once his contract with the Bulls expires at the end of the season.

He will be joined on the England coaching team by Australian Brian Smith, who is head coach of Sydney Roosters and the older brother of Tony.

"I think it's everyone's dream as a young boy growing up to play for your country or maybe sometimes coach your country and I'm proud to get the privilege to do that," McNamara said.

Although, Richard Agar (Hull), Brian McDermott (Bradford) and Denis Betts (Gloucester) were also interviewed, McNamara was the first choice of the Rugby Football League, according to chief executive Nigel Wood.

"It has been a long and thorough process but throughout it all it was clear that Steve McNamara was the right man for the job," he said.

"Steve has shown an appetite to develop both personally and to help develop English coaching."

McNamara said he had sought the assistance of Brian Smith, who was his coach at both Hull and Bradford and will act as a mentor in the way that fellow Australian Wayne Bennett aided New Zealand's successful 2008 World Cup campaign.

Smith, who will only become hands-on during the end-of-season Four Nations series in Australia and New Zealand, said: "Working with England is not something I ever saw myself doing but I feel honoured to be involved.

"My first goal is to bring whatever Steve McNamara requires of me - if I have it - and help him with the day-to-day aspects of coaching.

"I'll also be updating Steve with the general trends in coaching Down Under and keeping him informed about the players in Australia and New Zealand."