HULL KR's premiership winning mentor Willie Peters has joined his Vegas counterpart, Brad Arthur of Leeds, in throwing his hat into the ring to take England to the World Cup.

Peters was an assistant to Kangaroos mentor Kevin Walters in last year's Ashes Series but said he would be prepared to switch allegiances to coach England, while Arthur has also confirmed his interest.

“Yep, look I’d certainly have a conversation - that’s for sure,” said Peters, the former South Sydney and St George Illawarra halfback. 

“I’d be interested in having a conversation and seeing where it goes from there.”

Following Shaun Wane’s decision to stand down in the wake of last year’s 3-0 Ashes series whitewash, a host of candidates have been thrown up for the vacant men’s coaching position including Peters, Sam Burgess, Michael Maguire, Paul Rowley, Brian McDermott and more. Former Eels boss Arthur is another.

“Yeah,” Arthur answered. “I’ve enjoyed my time here. That’s coaching at the elite level. I don’t know where it’s at or what their process is.

"I’ve got some interest in it but my priority and main job and main focus is right here right now with this team. If something opens up there, I’d like to have a conversation.”

Despite England's 3-0 Ashes Series loss, Peters said there was a lot of appeal in the World Cup post.

"It’s a prestigious job, isn’t it," Peters said. “To be head coach of England, for any coach - whether you’re a young coach or an experienced coach - it’s an opportunity that I’m sure most people would want and I’m no different.

“I’ve been over here for … this is my fourth year (of coaching), I’ve played over here (for Wigan), I know the game over here really well.

“So certainly, it’s an opportunity that if it arose … as I say, I’d certainly like to have a conversation around it. We’ll see how we go from there.”

Peters was part of the Australian coaching staff that plotted England's downfall during the Ashes Series, but he said it was too early to say whether this might count in his favour.

“I don’t want to go that far,” he said. “I don’t know - as I say, if conversations did happen - where it goes from there. I’ll look at it.

"I’m just being honest and answering the question: would I be interested? Certainly interested in having a discussion, that’s for sure."

While Arthur is interested in the England job, he doesn’t want to be anyone’s assistant.

“Look, I hadn’t thought too much about it,” he said. “Yeah … who knows where it will take us but I’ve only got interest in being the head coach mate.”

Asked if the post being part-time made it more realistic for him, Arthur responded: “I wouldn’t consider it if it did (affect my Leeds job). My number one priority is Leeds Rhinos and this team”.

England kick off their World Cup campaign against Tonga in Perth on October 17 before meeting France, also in the Western Australia capital, on October 24 and Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on October 30.