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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Aaron Bower

League of their own: the cross-code converts thriving at Rugby World Cup

(Left to right): England’s Kevin Sinfield, France’s defensive coach Shaun Edwards and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell.
(Left to right): England’s Kevin Sinfield, France’s defensive coach Shaun Edwards and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. Composite: PA, Shutterstock, EPA

Andy Farrell, Shaun Edwards and Kevin Sinfield sounds like the spine of an all-star rugby league team but the reality is that one of them could soon end up lifting rugby union’s most prestigious prize. And the Ireland head coach, France defence coach and England’s defensive mastermind are not the only cross-code converts thriving having switched to union.

The career of Wales’s defence coach, Mike Forshaw, was forged in the league strongholds of Wigan and Bradford. Eddie Jones’s Australia staff at the Rugby World Cup includes the former Super League players Brett Hodgson and Jon Clarke. Meanwhile the Premiership is awash with league coaches wanting to build a career in the 15-player game.

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