League great reveals ‘massive dream’ to coach England after coming ‘close’ under Eddie Jones
Sean Long has revealed his “massive dream” to coach England at rugby union.
Rugby league great Sean Long has revealed his “massive dream” to coach England at rugby union having come close previously.
The scrum-half legend, one of the most decorated players of his generation, has just led Oldham to League One title glory and is busy preparing for a tilt at the Championship.
Massive England dream
He revealed: “To coach my country, to coach England in rugby union, 100 per cent that’s a dream. I got close in 2018. It remains a massive dream.”
There is no shortage of former rugby league stars in key coaching positions in the 15-aside game with the likes of Andy Farrell (Ireland and Lions), Shaun Edwards (France), Kevin Sinfield (England) and Mike Forshaw (Wales).
Long told Love Rugby League: “I look at Faz (Farrell) who I have the utmost respect for. He’s evolving the game all the time, offence and defence. That’s what I’m trying to do in league.
“But I’ve got to get runs on the board. I can’t just say ‘Yeah I’ve done it one year in league, we’re champions’ and park that. I’ve got to keep going.
“The best way to put myself in contention to coach England one day is to take Oldham up to Super League. That’s my goal.”
As a player, Long twice came close to switching codes with Sir Clive Woodward approaching him ahead of the 2003 Rugby World Cup and Sale Sharks offering him a deal three years later.
He enjoyed a glittering career in league though winning five Challenge Cups, four Super League titles, three Lance Todd Trophies, two World Club Challenges and one Man of Steel award.
Read full exclusive interview at Love Rugby League.
Meeting Eddie Jones
Long did finish his playing career in union, turning out in the lower leagues for Preston Grasshoppers and Orrell, weaning himself off day-to-day playing life – before applying for the job of England attack coach despite never having coached in the code.
“I had a meeting with Eddie Jones. Went really well actually,” he says. “Eddie was looking for a change of ideas. Got down to the last three. I was made up. We said we’d keep in touch.”
In June 2019, Long joined Harlequins’ coaching team and in his second season with the Londoners, he got back in touch with Jones to remind him his England ambition had not diminished.
“But then Covid hit and having to move back up north it was quite difficult,” he adds. “I had to make a decision whether to keep travelling down to London, move there or stay up here. I ended up going to Leeds [Rhinos].”
It appeared that was the end of it but today Long makes it clear that is not the case.
His declaration of interest comes with England searching for a new defence coach following the shock resignation of World Cup winner Felix Jones.
Stade Francais’ Paul Gustard has been shortlisted for his old job along with Borthwick’s former flat mate Joe El-Abd, now head coach at French club Oyonnax.
READ MORE: England boss Steve Borthwick looks to raid South Africa AGAIN for Felix Jones replacement
