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Leicester could block England’s bid to appoint Kevin Sinfield

In the midst of Eddie Jones being sacked by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) from his England job, it’s being suggested that the highly thought of Kevin Sinfield could have a role in the set-up blocked by his current club Leicester Tigers.

Sinfield has worked wonders in his capacity as defensive coach for the Tigers and helped lead them to securing the Premiership Rugby title last season after transitioning away from his Director of Rugby role at Leeds Rhinos.

Now that Jones has been sacked, Tigers boss Steve Borthwick is reportedly being lined up as the man to lead England into the next World Cup.

Should that happen he’ll want to bring Sinfield on board, however the Tigers may well try to prevent this as reported by the Daily Mirror.

RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney had commented on Jones’ dismissal: “It is important to recognise the huge contribution Eddie has made to English rugby, winning three Six Nations Championships, one Grand Slam and taking us to a Rugby World Cup Final.

“I am grateful to Eddie for all he has done for England across many areas of the game and the professional way in which he has approached reviewing the performance of the team. He has provided the panel with astute insight and meaningful lessons that will support the team performance going forward.”

Borthwick’s reported exit from Leicester leaves the Premiership Champions in a vulnerable position and they are believed to be determined to hold onto defensive coach Sinfield, and any others that Borthwick has been touted as bringing with him from the Tigers.

Sinfield has plans already for next May, just a few months before the Rugby Union World Cup, when he will take part in the Rob Burrow Leeds marathon as he’ll push his former teammate around the course.

He’s doing this to continue his amazing fundraising efforts for Motor Neurone Disease, which Burrow suffers with, having so far raised over £7 million across three different challenges – £3 million of that was from his 7 in 7 ultra-marathon challenge.

That funding has secured the start of development of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease and with news today that the government will announce plans for the reported £50 million funding in “days not weeks”, hopefully more centres will be developed.

For now Sinfield’s future as a coach is uncertain and likely won’t be confirmed till Borthwick is either appointed or commits to Leicester, but even the consideration for Sinfield to be involved in the England set-up is immensely impressive considering the transition he’s had to make.

If he is recruited by England he’d be following in the footsteps of rugby league legends Andy Farrell and Shaun Edwards, who have both transitioned into coaching international rugby union.

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