IT'S TIME TO CAP IT OFF

Whitehead on path to coaching role

-  ROSS HEPPENSTALL

ELLIOTT WHITEHEAD will bring down the curtain on a distinguished England career today but he's already eyeing the next chapter as a coach.

The rugged second-rower, 34, will earn his 27th England cap in the clash with Tonga at Headingley as Shaun Wane's men bid to complete a 3-0 series whitewash.

It will be his final international outing ahead of a ninth season at Canberra Raiders before he hangs up his boots altogether.

Whitehead considered calling time on his England career after last year's heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat to Samoa.

The ex-Bradford and Catalans star said: "Had we got to the final and pushed Australia, I'd have probably called it a day.