Wigan coach Shaun Wane says the Super League’s clean sweep of the World Club Series is a huge shot in the arm for the future of the code in England.

The Warriors’ 22-6 win over Cronulla in Sunday’s World Club Challenge showdown was the first time since Leeds beat Manly in 2012 that an English team has won the final.

Wigan’s success emulated the victory by Warrington over Brisbane 24 hours earlier and rounded off a memorable weekend for the host nation.

With England failing to shine in the Four Nations and several NRL clubs rejecting the offer to come over to the UK, doubts had been cast over the future of the competition and the long-term health of rugby league in the land of its birth.

But Wane, who won the tournament as a player in 1987 for Wigan, said the two wins proved Super League teams are capable of matching their NRL counterparts.

“I’m very happy, not necessarily with the way we played but certainly with the win,” Wane said.

“Tony Smith did a great job with Warrington last night, they were worthy winners and I think we were today.

“Winning such a prestigious trophy against a club like Cronulla, who are worthy champions in Australia, is a fantastic feeling.

“I’m pleased for the competition, pleased for the game,” Wane added.

“But it’s just one year, we need to be consistent and do it again next year and the year after and show that we have a good competition here.”

RFL chief Nigel Wood confirmed after the game discussions with the NRL are already underway about the format of the 2018 competition which could see teams head to Australia.

Both Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett and Cronulla’s Shane Flanagan have publicly backed the tournament and said they’d be happy to come back and play despite reservations of rival NRL coaches.

“I think it’s fantastic,” said Flanagan.

“They way we have been treated since we got here is first class. To play a game like this in front of a crowd so passionate about rugby league, we’ll come over every year.”