One of new England boss Shaun Wane’s assistant, Andy Last, has had a tough start to life as a Super League head coach.

Having been on the wrong end of a 54-18 scoreline in his first game in charge following the resumption, Last has had to endure the nightmare of a COVID-19 outbreak within his squad.

The number of those affected has now reached 12 and Wane believes that it’s as tough a start as any incoming boss could have possibly had. Having been promoted from assistant when Lee Radford lost his job, Last had to wait five months for his first game and, well the least said about that result the better.

“He’ll never have it as hard as this,” Wane explained.

“What happened to Radders (Lee Radford) and then the lockdown, it’s a tough start.

“But, he is a good man. I speak to him a lot, privately, about things at Hull and England and he is a smart guy.”

Wane’s relationship with ‘Lasty’ as he calls him has become closer than ever more recently and the former Wigan boss believes that the Airlie Birds have the right man for the job.

🧪 Betfred @SuperLeague have released a further update on this week’s COVID-19 testing:

In total, of 563 tests taken, there has been one positive – a non-playing member of staff from St Helens, while Hull FC and Salford have reported no new positive cases.

More Info 👇

— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) August 21, 2020

“I knew I’d get on with him, but it’s been better than what I expected.

“The meetings and chats we have had have been really fruitful and we speak four or five times a week. Hull have got a really smart operator, a guy who is passionate and understands the games.

“I’ve been really impressed with him, he’s a good fella.”

Of course, with what has come out of Hull in recent weeks regarding the coronavirus, Last and Wane are unlikely to meet face-to-face for a while. It could, however, be a budding friendship that would more than benefit the English national side.