TONY Smith, the former Castleford, Wigan, Hull and Great Britain scrum half, has been appointed as Head Coach to the England Rugby League Academy Under-17 team.

Smith, who was until recently Head Coach of engage Super League club Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, is now in charge for England's fixtures against the Australian Institute of Sport later this year.

Following his appointment Tony Smith said: "It's an honour to be appointed to one of our national teams and I'm very much looking forward to working with some of the top young players in the British game.

"Coaching at international level represents a challenge for any coach and to be working with a team who will be facing the cream of the Australian game just adds to the excitement".

Graeme Thompson, the RFL's Performance Director, said: "Tony has experience of coaching in the engage Super League and of playing at the highest levels of the sport.

"That experience will be invaluable to the England Academy Under-17 team as they prepare to face AIS.

"It is important that our top young coaches have a career pathway to follow in international Rugby League and Tony Smith has a great opportunity to establish his credentials at this level of the game".