- Kevin Sinfield will remain part of Steve Borthwick’s England set-up
- Sinfield will be tasked with improving the players’ individual skills and kicking.
England have confirmed that Kevin Sinfield will remain part of head coach Steve Borthwick’s national set-up on a deal until the 2027 World Cup.
Rugby league icon Sinfield first joined England ahead of the 2023 Six Nations after following Borthwick from Leicester Tigers, where the pair won the Premiership title.
Sinfield’s initial role was that of defense coach. But uncertainty over his position with England first came when Felix Jones joined and was given the full-back role.
On Monday, England confirmed that Sinfield’s job going forward will be to improve players’ individual skills and kicking, as well as fulfilling a team mentoring role.
The RFU added that from November, Sinfield will continue with his current responsibilities, but that his contact time with the team outside of trial windows and during match weeks will be reduced, allowing the 44-year-old greater flexibility to balance other personal and professional commitments.
England have confirmed that Kevin Sinfield will remain part of Steve Borthwick’s national set-up
Borthwick praised Sinfield as a ‘talented coach’ and ‘inspiring figure’
“Kevin is a talented coach and an inspiring figure in our organization,” Borthwick said.
“The work he does on and off the field is invaluable to our players, so I am pleased that he will remain part of the management team and continue to contribute to England’s success.”
Sinfield’s decision to stay will be welcomed by the Borthwick players, with whom he is very popular.
Sinfield added: “Working with Steve and the team has been an immensely rewarding experience and I am excited to continue my involvement with the team.
“This new agreement allows me to continue doing what I am passionate about: coaching and mentoring players, while also balancing other commitments that are important to me.”
As of 2024, Sinfield has raised over £10 million for motor neurone disease (MND) charities and research. His fundraising efforts began when his former rugby league teammate and friend Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and included running seven marathons in seven days, as well as other endurance feats.
Sadly, Burrow passed away in June, but Sinfield’s fundraising continues. Later this year he will embark on his latest challenge: he will attempt to run more than 50km every day for a week, visiting towns and cities across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including Liverpool, Wrexham, Gloucester, Belfast, Stirling, Glasgow, Hull, Northampton, Leicester and Manchester.
After a summer of turmoil, Borthwick replaced Jones with close friend Joe El-Abd as defense coach and has now sorted out Sinfield’s future. Their next step is to appoint a new head of strength and conditioning to replace Aled Walters. Borthwick wants Saracens’ Phil Morrow to take on that job, although the appointment is not straightforward.
Sinfield has raised more than £10 million for motor neurone disease (MND) research and charities. His fundraising efforts began when his former rugby league teammate and friend Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019.
England will face New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan in four big autumn matches on consecutive weekends next month.
Separately, players due to tour Australia with the British & Irish Lions next summer will benefit financially after a historic deal was reached.
Under a new profit-sharing model, members of head coach Andy Farrell’s team will each receive a section of the money earned from
tour in addition to your standard travel and performance fees.