RUGBY League legend Alex Murphy is demanding an Englishman succeeds Aussie Tony Smith as England coach.

According to Murphy, Shaun Edwards should be brought back from rugby union and offered a five year contract by the RFL.

Edwards, the former Wigan star, is the most decorated player in League history and is currently head coach at Wasps as well as being part of the Wales coaching set-up.

Murphy told MEN Sport: "I would bring Edwards back tomorrow. We have to give it to the right man and he fits the bill.

"I'd tell him he was in charge and offer him a five year deal.

"It needs a natural footballer in charge. For starters, I would obliterate game plans because players have said they are baffled by them.

"The Aussies have started to play a wonderful natural brand of rugby but we keep going down the middle and kicking on the last tackle.

"For the last 10 years we have not developed our own players because they've been stifled by too many overseas coaches who cannot hold a job down when they return to Australia.

"Daniel Anderson and Ian Millward are the exceptions but we have to stop thinking we must do what the Aussies do.

"The coaches at international level must realise the players are far more important than they are. To succeed at this level, it takes more than being cool and looking like James Bond sat in the stand.

"In my view, Edwards would be he outstanding candidate. He's done it as a player and already proved in rugby union what a quality coach he is - we need to bring him back."