Kevin Sinfield criticised following England Rugby Union defeat

Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield is reportedly set to leave his role as England Rugby Union Defence Coach.

This comes after England’s loss in the World Cup semi-final against South Africa. With England winning 15-6 it looked like a defensive masterclass from the seven time Super League Champion but in the end England came up short.

Now it is being reported by the Telegraph that he will be replaced who also criticised his lack of impact and experience.

They reported:

“The coaching set-up will also be bolstered by the recruitment of Felix Jones, the Irishman who is currently the defence coach with the Springboks for the last five years.

“Felix Jones is a coach obsessed with detail in a similar fashion to Borthwick – it was his defensive strategy that plotted the downfall of Farrell in the 2019 final.

“And his arrival in January will almost certainly see Kevin Sinfield, England’s current defence coach who joined the set-up from Leicester with Borthwick but has lacked the experience to make a significant impact on the Test stage, move on as part of a mutual agreement.”

When Steve Borthwick appointed Sinfield, he said said: “I’m delighted Kevin has joined us. In any of the best teams I’ve played in and coached, you have a group who work so hard for each other, they play together, celebrate together and lift each other up.

“Kevin Sinfield embodies that ethos. He’s the type of person you want in that environment. Kevin is an incredible bloke and I think he’s an even better human being.”

Sinfield started playing Rugby League at Waterhead ARLFC. He was a player, captain and director of rugby for Leeds Rhinos where he led the team to seven Super League championships and two Challenge Cup successes. He was a loose forward as well as a stand-off.

He played 26 rugby league tests for England which he captained and 14 tests for Great Britain. He holds the record for the highest points-scorer in Super League history and earned many individual accolades including the Lance Todd Trophy (2005), Harry Sunderland Trophy (2009, 2012) and the  Golden Boot (2012). Sinfield has been defence coach alongside Borthwick in their record-breaking run at Leicester Tigers.

Sinfield was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to rugby league and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to rugby league football and charitable fundraising.

He has raised over £7m for charity and championed research in support of ex-Leeds teammate Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), his fundraising also honours former rugby union player Doddie Weir and former footballer Stephen Darby, both of whom were diagnosed with MND.