Rugby League hero Kevin Sinfield has opened up on his decision to walk away from the England Rugby Union team later this year.
He initially joined the England coaching group as defence coach back in December 2022, but will now be replaced by former South Africa assistant coach Felix Jones. Sinfield has now shifted across to skills coach, where he will remain until his departure this summer.
Speaking to the media ahead of England’s match against Italy, Sinfield opened up on his decision to leave the England set-up: “I think you will understand my main focus is the team this week. I don’t want anything to disrupt our performance. They are personal reasons, and I think for that they need to remain private. I think it’s important my reasons are kept private for now.”
He added: “Do I still want to coach? Yes. What that looks like, I’m not sure at this stage,” he said. “I’m pretty excited about what’s to come this year with England, and then there is a lot of unknown for me and I don’t know what it looks like going forward. I’ll make the best of it.
“I don’t know where that is or what it looks like, but I’ve really enjoyed coaching.”
Sinfield had previously worked with Steve Borthwick at Leicester Tigers, and the pair would help guide the Midlands side to a Premiership title in 2022. They also took England to the World Cup semi-finals last autumn, where they lost to eventual champions South Africa.
Kevin Sinfield on a return to Rugby League
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt West/BPI/Shutterstock 9780270a Leeds Rhinos head coach Kevin Sinfield Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos, Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-final , Macron Stadium, Bolton, UK – 5 Aug 2018 Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos, Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-final , Macron Stadium, Bolton, UK – 5 Aug 2018 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTXHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROMxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xMattxWest/BPI/Shutterstockx 9780270a
Whilst the bulk on Sinfield’s coaching career has been spent in ‘the other code’, he had a stint as Leeds Rhinos Director of Rugby. Sinfield took the role in 2018 and would stay at Headingley until 2021, leaving to join Leicester Tigers.
Since his departure, there have been questions surrounding him about a potential return to the 13-man game; however, he has suggested that is unlikely.
“I think it’s very unlikely I’ll go back into rugby league, but I’ll never say no.”
“I don’t ever feel like I really left rugby league because of my role with Rugby League Cares, the charitable arm of the sport. What I do know is I want to continue to support and help people.”
“When what happened with Rob [Burrow] happened it was a big shift in my life, and it felt right to use my experience as a player to help me support players and other people. I try and use that in the best way moving forward. I won’t rule out anything at this stage, as I think I’d be daft to.”
