Leeds Rhinos legend officially leaves current role

Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield has officially left his role as Defence Coach at Leicester Tigers as the club made the following statement:

“Leicester Tigers have appointed Richard Wigglesworth Interim Head Coach after agreeing terms with Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield for an early release from their contracts with the club.

“The appointment sees Wigglesworth retire from professional rugby, bringing the on-field career of the English game’s most decorated and accomplished player to a close.

“Wigglesworth has made more than 500 senior appearances – including a record 322 Premiership games and 33 Test matches for England – during a more than 20-year professional career.

“He made his professional debut in 2002 for Sale Sharks, who he won the first of seven Premiership titles with before moving to Saracens in 2010, where he won three Heineken Champions Cup trophies.

“Wigglesworth made 43 appearances for Leicester Tigers, scoring four tries, in two and a half seasons.”

The club went on to thank Sinfield:

“Sinfield joined Tigers ahead of the 2021/22 season to take charge of the senior side’s defence after a decorated rugby league career as a player, coach and administrator.

“The 42-year-old was part of the coaching team which led the club to its first Premiership title in nine years.

“During his time in Leicester, Sinfield continued in his efforts to raise vital funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND), completing two major running challenges and raised more than £7,000,000 in two years.”

Sinfield is now expected to join Borthwick in the England set up as Defence Coach at the expense of former Hull FC coach Brett Hodgson.