Kevin Sinfield’s Leicester Tigers reveal Rob Burrow inspiration

Yesterday, Leicester Tigers won the Rugby Union Premiership with a 15-12 win over Saracens at Twickenham.

So, why is there a story about it on Serious About Rugby League?

Well, it’s hard to escape rugby league’s involvement in Leicester’s triumph. Almost exactly a year ago, Kevin Sinfield revealed he’d be leaving Leeds Rhinos as Director of Rugby to take on the defensive coach role at the Tigers.

This was a major shock after all Sinfield bleeds blue and amber having played for them since the age of 16, captaining them for 13 years and lifting seven Super League titles before helping mastermind their Challenge Cup win in 2020 as Director or Rugby but his desire to coach tempted him away.

He’s had a massive impact on the Tigers giving them the steeliest defence in the league which was vital in yesterday’s final as Leicester didn’t concede a try whilst scoring two of their own forcing Owen Farrell – son of Andy Farrell – to take kicks at goal.

In the end it was a Freddie Burns drop goal which sealed it as he nailed the desive kick in Sinfield style coolness and after the game the impact Sinfield has had on the club was emphasised by the fact coach Borthwick first hugged Sinfield after the game.

However, Sinfield’s role in their success runs deeper than tactics or anything on the field and is about the importance of how you treat your mates.

After the game, final hero Burns noted that what Sinfield has done for Rob Burrow – alongside the tragedy of Tom Young’s wife Tiffany’s death from cancer – was the perfect inspiration.

Sinfield has done so much for Burrow since he was diagnosed with MND in December 2019. He ran 101 miles in 24 hours, ran seven marathons in seven days and even took to the field one last time raising money and awareness for Burrow and his battle against a cruel disease.

It was this that helped inspire Leicester to victory yesterday according to Burns who told ITV after the game: “We’re a great group of mates. They mean everything. You’ve seen what Kev Sinfield’s done for Rob Burrow, we also had the news about Tiffany Youngs and what Tommy’s been through and how he’s been. To put a smile on those faces, amazing. It means everything.”