Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett is set to replace Steve McNamara as England coach, according to Sky sources. Barrie McDermott and Terry O'Connor discuss what he would bring to the side.
McNamara's future has been unclear since his contract expired in the wake of a 2-1 series victory over New Zealand in the autumn.
And it is understood Bennett, who was previously in charge of Australia, will be appointed next month ahead of this year's Four Nations campaign.
Sky's rugby league pundit McDermott, who has played international rugby league for England, Ireland and Great Britain, believes that any player would jump at the chance of being coached by Bennett, but also hopes the RFL use him to develop local coaches as well.
"I think if you asked any football fan would you like Alex Ferguson to coach the national team they'd give you a resounding yes," said McDermott.
"Wayne Bennett has achieved the same success in his chosen sport of rugby league with more than one club and more than one international team. He is tasked to be the man to give short-term success in a major tournament and better still, he could be the man to help some of our best coaches like Brian McDermott, Shaun Wane or Daryl Powell take their club prowess to the next level.
"I've always thought back to my first GB coach Ellery Hanley who had such an aura and presence - I would've done anything not to let him down. I think Wayne will have the same effect on today's squad. It's a positive step but I believe two things must happen.
"Firstly, it must be backed up by some support for all our top coaches so they benefit as much as the players. Secondly, the team must be picked on merit - the best players in their proper positions - not just the players that are playing in the NRL."
Terry O'Connor - also a Great Britain, England and Ireland international - believes that it is a big call to replace McNamara, but says that you cannot ignore the experience and knowledge that Bennett would bring to the role.
"I heard it from a friend of mine who is coaching in the NRL," said O'Connor.
"He'd said the news broke on Saturday on the radio in Sydney. He's confident that it's true as Bennett wanted to coach internationally once again and as he's missed out on the Aussie job, the next best is England.
"The quality of the man as a person and as a coach is never in question.
"What you want from a coach at international level is someone who can man manage. Players get picked for national sides because they can perform on the pitch and they are the best in whichever position.
"We sometimes get it wrong or they did when I played. I want to walk into camp and believe in what we are trying to do, at times I didn't feel that way. The best times I had playing international rugby was for Ireland when Steve O'Neill and Andy Kelly coached us. At the end of a hard season you've got to pick it up another level as you are playing the best, if you're not happy with the environment you won't play to your potential no matter how good the team is on paper.
"I know from people who have played under Wayne Bennett that he is a master of the game. Not only does he know how to break the opposition down, but he knows how to deal with players. He's coached at the top for many years and still has a presence about him, great players respect him and hang on his every word, and they believe he has all the answers.
"Wayne has coached the Australian national side and assisted Stephen Kearney in the kiwi camp so he knows what makes both sets of players tick. He is also still coaching in the NRL and goes into the season as a Grand Finalist from 2015, one which was a classic and one which they nearly won.
"It's a big decision for the RFL as Steve McNamara just beat the kiwis in the last series, but if Wayne Bennett shows an interest in a coaching role you listen - and who's to say that they won't be working together?"