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England confirm Kevin Sinfield will stay part of Steve Borthwick’s coaching staff on deal through to 2027 World Cup

England have confirmed Kevin Sinfield will stay a part of head coach Steve Borthwick’s national set-up on a deal through to the 2027 World Cup.

Rugby league icon Sinfield first joined England ahead of the 2023 Six Nations after following Borthwick from Leicester Tigers where the pair won the Premiership title.

Sinfield’s initial role was as defence coach. But uncertainty over his position with England first came when Felix Jones joined and was given the defence position.

On Monday, England confirmed Sinfield’s job moving forwards will be to improve the individual skills and kicking of players as well as fulfilling a squad mentoring role.

The RFU added that from November, Sinfield will continue his current responsibilities but that his contact time with the squad outside of Test windows and during match weeks will be reduced, allowing the 44-year-old greater flexibility to balance other personal and professional commitments.

England have confirmed Kevin Sinfield will stay part of Steve Borthwick’s national set-up

Sinfield was praised by Borthwick, pictured, as a 'talented coach' and an 'inspirational figure'

Sinfield was praised by Borthwick, pictured, as a ‘talented coach’ and an ‘inspirational figure’

‘Kevin is a talented coach and an inspirational figure in our set-up,’ said Borthwick.

‘The work he does on and off the field is invaluable to our players, so I am pleased he’ll remain part of the management team and continue to contribute towards the success of England.’

Sinfield’s decision to stay will go down well with Borthwick’s players with whom he is very popular.

Sinfield added: ‘Working with Steve and the team has been an immensely rewarding experience and I am excited to continue my involvement with the team.

‘This new arrangement allows me to keep doing the thing I’m passionate about – coaching and mentoring players, while also balancing other commitments which are important to me.’

As of 2024, Sinfield has raised over £10million for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research and charities. His fundraising efforts began when his former rugby league team-mate and friend Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and have included running seven marathons in seven days as well as other endurance feats.

Burrow sadly passed away in June, but Sinfield’s fundraising continues. Later this year he will embark on his latest challenge as he attempts to run over 50km every day for a week, visiting towns and cities across Great Britain and Northern Ireland including Liverpool, Wrexham, Gloucester, Belfast, Stirling, Glasgow, Hull, Northampton, Leicester and Manchester.

Sinfield has raised over £10million for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research and charities since his former team-mate and friend Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019

Sinfield has raised over £10million for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research and charities since his former team-mate and friend Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019

Borthwick replaced Felix Jones with Joe El-Abd as defence coach after a summer of upheaval

Borthwick replaced Felix Jones with Joe El-Abd as defence coach after a summer of upheaval

The England head coach wants Saracens' Phil Morrow to be head of strength and conditioning

The England head coach wants Saracens’ Phil Morrow to be head of strength and conditioning

After a summer of upheaval, Borthwick has replaced Jones with his close friend Joe El-Abd as defence coach and now sorted Sinfield’s future. His next step is to appoint a new head of strength and conditioning to replace Aled Walters. Borthwick wants Phil Morrow of Saracens to take on that job although that appointment is not straightforward.

England face New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan in four huge autumn games on consecutive weekends next month.

Elsewhere, the players who will tour Australia with the British & Irish Lions next summer will benefit financially after a landmark agreement was reached.

Under a new profit share model, those in head coach Andy Farrell’s squad will each receive a section of the money made from the tour in addition to their standard travel and playing fees.

Steve BorthwickSix Nations

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