Leicester Tigers v England: What Kevin Sinfield will bring to whoever wins tug of war

Kevin Sinfield - What would Kevin Sinfield bring to Leicester? He is just like Shaun Edwards – and also very different - David Rogers/Getty Images
Kevin Sinfield - What would Kevin Sinfield bring to Leicester? He is just like Shaun Edwards – and also very different - David Rogers/Getty Images
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There are not many rugby players – amateur or professional – who could resist the urge to follow Kevin Sinfield into battle.

Inspiring and motivating those around him is Sinfield’s raison d'être. It is what makes the Leicester defence coach such a highly regarded figure across both codes of the sport, and explains why he might be at the centre of a tug of war between the Tigers and England when Steve Borthwick becomes the national side’s head coach.

After all, Sinfield is the man who has so far refused to sit idle and watch as his former Leeds Rhinos team-mate and friend, Rob Burrow, deteriorates with Motor Neurone Disease. Sinfield recently ran nearly 40 miles on seven successive days to raise funds for research.

In late 2020, the former Leeds captain raised £2.7 million for MND charities (the total now stands at £7 million) after running seven marathons in seven days and in November 2021 he ran 101 miles in 24 hours.

With such achievements, players must require little convincing to follow his orders. But what many might not realise is that Sinfield’s role at Leicester, as Borthwick’s defensive lieutenant, is his first such position in either union or league. So the fact that he might soon end up leading England’s defence or in a role of greater responsibility with Leicester is nothing short of remarkable.

“He’s a very special human being because of the good that he does and how he wants to help people,” said Borthwick. “It’s just incredible and he was in a situation [with his marathons] where he brought a group of people together and motivated them by the power of his personality.”

Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield - What would Kevin Sinfield bring to Leicester? He is just like Shaun Edwards – and also very different
Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield - What would Kevin Sinfield bring to Leicester? He is just like Shaun Edwards – and also very different

Sir Ian McGeechan, the British and Irish Lions legend and Telegraph Sport columnist, sees similarities between Sinfield’s extraordinary rise and that of another rugby league son, whom Sir Ian knows well – Shaun Edwards.

“They are very different in character but they both care about players – something that is often underestimated about Shaun,” McGeechan says. “He cares about the players he coaches. Kev is exactly the same. He was captain of the Rhinos when I was there in 2012 and we had regular conversations.

“They’re both very rugby intelligent – across both codes – and they know what needs to be done and can communicate that in a way that is easy to understand.

“You need coaches that push the boundaries. Steve Borthwick knows the impact he has had at Leicester. And if he wants him as an England defence coach, it’s because he trusts him.

“It would be great to coach with Kevin because if you’ve got as good a defensive understanding as he does then you know what’s difficult to defend. The conversations you then have about attack are very informative, too.”

Barrie McDermott, the former Leeds rugby league prop, is a close friend of Sinfield. They came through the ranks at Waterhead, Oldham, and met for the first time aged 13. Later they played in the Leeds side Sinfield captained to the club’s first championship in 32 years in 2004.

Kevin Sinfield (left) and Barrie McDermott - What would Kevin Sinfield bring to Leicester? He is just like Shaun Edwards – and also very different
Kevin Sinfield (left) and Barrie McDermott - What would Kevin Sinfield bring to Leicester? He is just like Shaun Edwards – and also very different

“I’ve often described him as the most manufactured player I played with,” McDermott said. “That’s not to undermine his talent; it just emphasises that, anything he wasn’t good at, he relentlessly went through all day, every day, until he’d mastered it. Iestyn Harris and I would laugh at Kev because he was so disciplined. We’d stop off at the petrol station and get a snack but Kevin would say, ‘No, I just want a bottle of water’.

“His alarm clock was going off at 4.30am [for the challenges for Burrow] and he was getting up to run knowing that he then had to drive to Leicester to work. If you’re one of the coaches and think you’re a bit tired, you then look at Kev and say, ‘Well actually, I’m nowhere near as stiff and sore and tired as he is’.

“He didn’t have experience in rugby union, but he had experience in leading men and being able to influence a group. He’s got a lot of affection for the people at Leicester and, if he does go down the England route, it will be a difficult decision.

“Some coaches are great on the grass, others are great at setting up an infrastructure around the team, and some just bring a feel-good factor. With Kev you get a little bit of all three.”

England or Leicester, one will have a diamond on their hands.