Rohan Smith today paid tribute to legendary former Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield following his appointment as England rugby union’s new defence coach. Sinfield has enjoyed a dramatic rise in the 15-a-side after quitting as director of rugby at Headingley to join Leicester Tigers in August 2021.
He was a relative novice to union when he joined Leicester but proved a huge success in a young backroom team alongside Steve Borthwick, attack coach Richard Wigglesworth and Aled Walters, the strength and conditioning coach. The Tigers topped the table after every round of last season before beating Saracens in the Premiership final and, with Borthwick having been confirmed as Eddie Jones’ successor in the Twickenham hot-seat, Sinfield has joined him as England’s new defence coach.
The 42-year-old has also raised over £7milllion for Motor Neurone Disease charities since his great friend and fellow Leeds legend Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the disease in December 2019. Rhinos head coach Smith said: “All I can say is that Kev’s a phenomenal human to do what he does for other people.
