CASTLEFORD boss Daryl Powell reiterated his desire to coach England today but says now is not the right time.

The 52-year-old former England and Great Britain international is thought to have been lined up to work alongside veteran Australian Wayne Bennett for the next two years before taking over from him in time for the 2021 World Cup.

Bennett, whose contract with the Rugby Football League ran out at the end of the 2017 World Cup, has agreed a new two-year deal but has yet to announce his back-room staff.

Speaking at his weekly press conference at Castleford, Powell confirmed having spoken to RFL rugby director Kevin Sinfield, whose recommendations on the coaching set-up were accepted by the governing body, but turned down a job offer.

“I had a conversation with Kevin, but at this point it’s not the right situation for me,” Powell said.

“I’m pretty happy doing what I’m doing here and I need to focus on what we need to get right here.

“Ultimately, at some point in the future, I’d obviously like to coach England.

“It just wasn’t right for me at the time.

“It’s about what we do now from here this season. I always wish England all the best obviously, it’s been a big part of my rugby league life and hopefully it will be in the future, but it’s not the right time for me.”

Powell, who is the reigning Super League coach of the year after guiding the Tigers to the League Leaders’ Shield and a maiden Grand Final in 2017, was on the England coaching staff under Steve McNamara up to 2013 when he resigned to concentrate on his job at Castleford.

The club went on to confirm that they had sacked full-back Zak Hardaker after he tested positive for cocaine towards the end of the 2017 season.