WOLVES chief Paul Cullen's appointment as England coach looks set to involve him leading the national side in an end of season competition on these shores.

Warrington Guardian understands that England will clash with France, Tonga and Samoa in an event that will run at the same time as the Tri-Nations series Down Under between Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

The England team is regarded as the final stepping stone for players heading towards the Great Britain side and it is thought that the players who do not make the cut of 25 for the Tri-Nations will join Cullen's band.

Cullen was previously assistant coach to John Kear on the 2002 England tour of Fiji and Tonga, while he also coached Lancashire in 2003.

Wolves' head coach, who has replaced Salford's Karl Harrison in the England role, said: "I've been part of the elite coaching programme ever since I was a rookie coach with Whitehaven in National League One and I am delighted to be given this opportunity to coach in international rugby league.

"Like my predecessor Karl Harrison, I took time out to develop my coaching career at club level and now I'm really pleased to return to the international arena.

"It has been an ambition of mine to coach an international team and I'm very honoured to be appointed to the England team."