The England union player Seibold would love to see in the NRL

Incoming NRL head coach Anthony Seibold has named the one player from Eddie Jones’ England rugby union team he would love to see play rugby league. The Australian is preparing for his last two Test matches as the defence coach for Jones’ England, this Saturday versus the All Blacks and then his November 26 finale versus the Springboks, before heading home to take charge of Manly Sea Eagles for the 2023 season.

Seibold was originally due to stay on with England through to the completion of next year's Rugby World Cup in France and only then was he due become the new Manly boss. However, that plan was brought forward twelve months due to last month’s sacking of Des Hassler and Seibold will now be replaced in the England set up by Brett Hodgson.

The assistant coach broke his silence on the circumstances of his impending departure when fronting the media on Tuesday and one of the questions he was asked was which England player would be like to take with him to the NRL if such a switch was possible. He answered Tom Curry, the 24-year-old who won his 43rd England cap in last Saturday's win over Japan.

“I thought this question might come up,” he chuckled when asked. “It’s hard to pick, hard to pick but I have always said someone like a Tom Curry would be an outstanding rugby league player. I think he is one of the world’s best rugby players of either code full stop.

“I just have got great admiration for his toughness, his work ethic and his skill level. I don’t want to name too many others because it’s unfair and I don’t want to create a headline - but Tom Curry is one of the world’s best rugby players full stop either code. I just think he is an outstanding player and I'm looking forward to Tom showing that against the All Blacks on Saturday.”