Steve Borthwick 'hopeful' of Kevin Sinfield staying on England coaching staff - 'I want him to continue to be involved'
Published 15/07/2024 at 23:20 GMT+1
Kevin Sinfield may go back on a decision to step down as England’s skills, kicking and mentorship coach, with head coach Steve Borthwick saying he was "hopeful" the rugby league legend would remain on the coaching team in some capacity. Sinfield followed Borthwick to England from Leicester Tigers in December 2022, initially taking on the role of defence coach.
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England head coach Steve Borthwick is "hopeful" that rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield will remain part of his coaching team.
Sinfield followed Borthwick from Leicester Tigers to join England’s coaching setup in December 2022, initially taking on the role of defence coach.
It was announced in January that Sinfield would take on a skills, kicking and mentorship role after being replaced as defence coach by Felix Jones, before stepping down following the tour of Japan and New Zealand.
But Borthwick says things may now change.
"Kevin is with us until the start of November and I'm hopeful we will be able to find an agreement," Borthwick said.
"I think Kevin wants to continue his involvement with the team and I want him to continue to be involved with the team and I’m sure the players do.
"Hopefully when we get back to England, we will be able to put something in place to keep that going."
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Steve Borthwick, (L) the England head coach looks on with assistant coach Kevin Sinfield during the England training session held at the LNER Community Stadium on March 01, 2024 in York, England.
Image credit: Getty Images
Borthwick added: "It won't necessarily be on a full-time capacity but I am hoping to have him whenever we are in camp and have him involved as much as we can when we are in camp. He enjoys it and he adds tremendous value."
England had mixed results on their recent summer tour, thrashing Japan 52-17 but narrowly losing to New Zealand 16-15 and 24-17.
Separately, Borthwick shared his thoughts on the game's new 'Professional Game Partnership' between the RFU and English clubs.
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This deal would see some players on a contract where they would be paid around £160,000 a year to play for England, rather than a per-game match fee.
Borthwick said: "What it will give us is medically, and from a strength and conditioning point of view, the players are in better condition when it comes to England playing games.
"Ultimately, what we want is the best players playing in an England shirt in the best condition so we can compete with the best sides in the world."
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