PAUL Wellens has revealed why he believes one-time fierce rival Shaun Wane wants him in his England coaching set-up.

Ex-Saints full-back Wellens, now part of Kristian Woolf's backroom team at the Totally Wicked Stadium, has been named, along with Hull FC caretaker boss Andy Last, as assistant coaches to Wane following his replacement of Wayne Bennett.

Wellens, 40, has previously spent chunks of his career attempting to get the better of Wane, who was in charge of Saints' bitterest derby rivals, Wigan, for eight years.

Now they will be side by side plotting the downfall of the world's best international teams, hopefully in an Ashes series against Australia later this year and certainly in the 2021 World Cup being staged on these shores.

The irony is not lost on Wello, who added: "One thing that comes out of that Saints-Wigan rivalry is a great deal of respect.

"And having played against numerous Shaun Wane teams, I understand at first hand what he expects from his players – hugely committed, highly motivated, with a culture to leave everything out there on the field.

"I think he’ll be looking to put that into the England team, whichever players are fortunate enough to be pulling on the jersey come the end of the year."

And as for why Wellens believes Wane wanted him on board, the 37-cap international who won all of the game's team and individual honours before hanging up his boots five years ago, said: "I’m a young coach, enthusiastic and always wanting to learn and try and get better.

"I think even Shaun himself, as successful as he’s been, and all the great coaches who have been successful, always try to better themselves, always look for improvements.

"I want to be that coach too and I hope he sees that in me and together, along with Andy Last as a coaching team, hopefully we can take this England team forward.

"I’ve been involved in the England environment for a good few years now, initially it was with Steve McNamara back in 2014 while I was still playing, running messages on game day.

"So I’ve been in and around the group since then, and I suppose this is just another progression in my development as a coach but also what a wonderful opportunity to work with a coach who is very highly regarded and obviously very successful, and to work with the best players this country has to offer, and to have the opportunity to be part of something special and to do something great."