Kevin Sinfield: I never wanted to coach, Rob Burrow is why I’m here | Clean slate for England players under Steve Borthwick | Rugby Union News

New England defensive coach Kevin Sinfield has revealed to Sky Sports relationship with Rob Burrow behind the move to coaching rugby union, adding that all English players have a clean slate in Steve Borthwick.

After joining the England coaching staff two weeks ago alongside new head coach Borthwick – with whom he helped guide Leicester to the Premier League title last year – Sinfield sat down with Sky Sports to chat his relationship with Borthwick, and how he has found himself coaching at the Union.

A Leeds Rhinos legend, Sinfield played 521 times for the rugby league club between 1997 and 2015 and won seven Super League titles. He admits he never wanted to become a coach after playing, but seeing how friend and former team-mate Rob Burrow has responded since being diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 37 has changed his mindset.

“Maybe it’s important to know how I got here [in the England set-up], but how I ended up in Leicester first, is that I was inspired by Rob Burrow and the journey Rob has been on. And I knew I wanted to take a risk,” Sinfield said.

“I felt it was important that I continue to take challenges. To realize that I am not here for a long time, and to make the most out of it, and the most out of life.

New England head coach Steve Borthwick and Sinfield led Leicester to the Premier League title last season

“So I came to the conclusion that it was time to try something different. Fate or coincidence for a reason, I then got a call out of the blue and found myself sitting in front of Steve. [Borthwick] a couple of weeks later.

“It’s been an incredible 15/16 months, I’ve enjoyed my time at Leicester, I’ve had great memories from my short spell, but now to get the chance to work for England and the quality of players we have is amazing.

“I never wanted to be a coach. When I finished playing I thought: ‘Not for me.’ I went and did a Masters in sports business and thought the administrative side of sports was my future.

“What happened with Rob happened, and I felt that I didn’t like my role and let’s enjoy professional coaching.

Sinfield said he ‘never wanted to be a coach’, but vowed to take on new challenges and risks when friend and former team-mate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND aged 37.

“Leicester allows me to make mistakes and make mistakes, and they don’t laugh. They support and help me. It’s great. A lot of hard work, watching games, learning and understanding, but I love myself. time.

“Helping people gives me happiness now. Seeing joy and improvement in players is something I take great from.

Sinfield’s charity work for good friend and former team-mate Burrow has been hailed as an inspiration.

“I’ve always been a [union] fans I can remember watching Six Nations, and Five Nations as this.

“Because of the tradition and the differences, people like to understand that there is animosity between the codes. There is no player’s point of view.

“To get the opportunity now to work in the Six Nations, which is coming very, very, very soon, is incredible. The answer is no.

“Life and sports throw some different twists and turns on you. I can’t wait to get going.”

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England head coach Borthwick discussed with Sky Sports the importance of making every minute count in his new role

‘Borthwick cares about people. He’ll do a great job’

Borthwick took on the role of England head coach after turning the Tigers from a team that would have been relegated in 2020 but for points deductions imposed by Saracens and relegation due to a salary cap breach, to become England’s domestic rugby champions just two years later.

Speaking after two days of training and planning with the England players in Gloucester, Sinfield praised the head coach and said the future was bright at Borthwick.

The duo will lead England in their 2023 Six Nations opener against Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday February 4 – just over six weeks after being appointed.

“I think the beauty of Steve coming in as head coach is that every eligible player will be considered. There’s an unbelievable hunger in that white shirt.

“[I’m] happy I think Steve will do a great job. I have enjoyed working with him for the past 15/16 months.

Sinfield heaped praise on Borthwick, talking about how much the latter cared about him

“The thing that has become very clear is how much he cares about people. How much he wants to create an environment that can improve and wants to be better, and maybe people don’t know: how much he cares.

“I’ll give you an example. The new challenge we did in November, I got a text from Steve every night. He really cares about what we’re doing and he cares about me.

“To come and be able to work with someone like that, and you know he has all the other parts because he’s very detailed, hard-working and passionate, and has a lot of struggle in the way he does it. You know he has a softer side too. .

“To come and represent my country, I can do it in rugby league, and know how big it is to wear this badge.

“I’m excited, and the last few days have been great because I’ve been able to start building friendships and connections with the players and our management team.

Sinfield said all ‘eligible England players’ would get a clean berth under Borthwick

“I will also say that this is a very important year for English rugby, and there are many things to be surprised about, but to see the quality of players who have sat in front of us over the last two days, it is very good. English rugby.

“The important thing is that we don’t get caught looking behind us.

“Steve said we’re not going to look in the rearview mirror. And we won’t. We’re moving forward. We’re very aligned and we know where we want to take the team.

“Fighting and caring about people, I want to think that will represent our team moving forward. How can you not be excited or excited about what we can see in 2023, starting with the first game against Scotland.”