Leeds coach McDermott admits interest in England job

Leeds head coach Brian McDermott says he would be interested in the England job if it becomes available.

Wayne Bennett led England to their first World Cup final for 22 years last month, but his contract with the Rugby Football League has now expired and the Australian was coy about his future in the wake of a 6-0 final defeat to the Kangaroos.

Asked if he would be interested if approached about the England job during a press conference broadcast on the Rhinos' official website, McDermott replied: "Yes.

"I'm cool, I'm at ease with coaching Leeds. I love coaching Leeds and at no stage would I ever chase that job - I don't think its a job you chase, actually.

"I wouldn't want the job at any expense either; if I was to get the job I'd want to do it my way, which wouldn't be too radical but I'm just trying to make a point that I won't get veered off the track to chase the England job.

"If it becomes available and I get a phone call I'm certainly up for that.

"I think they've got a good bloke in charge at the moment."

McDermott, who led the Rhinos to a famous treble in 2015 and regained the Super League title last season, warned their rivals that his side could improve further for the 2018 campaign.

"I think there's some realistic chances we can do that (retain the title)," he added.

"I don't think throughout the whole of 2017 we ever went through too many bad patches, but I don't think we also went through too many purple patches either - I don't think too often we said 'wow' to ourselves... so there is improvement in us.

"I'm keen to stress that nobody in the camp is thinking 'job done'."