Wayne Bennett begins his England coaching duties with Sydney meeting

WAYNE Bennett’s reign as England boss has officially begun following a meeting of all NRL based English players.

Wayne Bennett’s tenure as England coach has officially begun.

IMAGINE Wayne Bennett drinking English tea with a hot muffin while talking shop alongside Sam Burgess, Gareth Widdop and James Graham.

Sounds like behaviour reserved for the Royals at Buckingham Palace, but it became reality this week when Bennett conducted his first duty as England national coach.

The Saturday Telegraph can reveal the super coach organised a team catch up in Sydney for the NRL based English players this week in the lead-up to the representative round.

South Sydney forward Thomas Burgess said it was an honour to link with the seven-time premiership-winning mentor and start building preparations for the end of season Four Nations, starting in October.

“I’m really excited about working with Wayne,” Burgess enthused.

“He has been really proactive about everything with the England side so far.

“Obviously he has got a lot going on at Brisbane, but he is always in contact and he wants to catch-up and get everyone together.

“Former coach Steve McNamara used to do a similar thing and now Wayne is trying to do it as well.

“I worked with Wayne in that week during the All-Stars camp and that was really good to get that ground work in there with him.

EELS: NRL backs down on punishment

POWER RANKINGS: Which winger is the best?

“He is a really good bloke. I’d met him a few times before and I can’t say enough about him as a coach and person as well.”

Dragons’ five-eighth Gareth Widdop is equally enthused about learning under Bennett.

Widdop has no doubts England can significantly improve under the guidance of the supercoach.

England are hopeful of welcoming back Sam Burgess this year.

“I had the privilege of working with Wayne in the All-Stars this year and that was an awesome week, so it would be great if I got the chance again at the end of the season,” said Widdop, who has played 18 Tests for England since 2010.

“To get someone like Wayne is huge for rugby league in England and I’m sure the players are excited.”

South Sydney forward Sam Burgess has always felt blessed donning the English jumper and that certainly won’t change when he teams up with coach Bennett.

But with his beloved Bunnies struggling to consistency deliver their best, he’ll put club before country until the catch up.

“I’ll do that (with England) when it’s in front of me,” Burgess said frankly.

“I always enjoy seeing the England boys though; especially my old mate James Graham and this year under Wayne will be no different.”