Rugby: Kear confirmed for Pacific tour
World Cup coach John Kear will take an emerging England team on an end-of-season tour of the Pacific.
The Wigan assistant coach, who was in charge of England for the 2000 World Cup, has been confirmed as coach for a tour that is expected to include games against Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
The trip will clash with the early part of the New Zealand tour of Great Britain in October and will, therefore, not involve full international players.
‘‘It’s a very important part of the international re-building process,’’ said Kear.
‘‘I am always proud to be involved with the international side.’’
Meanwhile, England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will compete in the inaugural amateur four nations championship in 2002.
England will be represented by the Rugby League Conference, a pioneering competition for clubs outside the sport’s heartland.
The round-robin style matches will take place between June and September, although the full fixture list has still to be finalised.
Tournament director is Graeme Thompson said: ‘‘This is a strategic step in furthering the expansion of rugby league.’’
