"Big shift in my life" - Kevin Sinfield reveals the 'real' reason for shock England departure

Rugby News
Tuesday, 30 January 2024 at 23:12
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: "The international retirement of Courtney Lawes gives England the chance to look at a specialist No 6, and if they do so I would throw in Chandler Cunningham-South for his first cap.
Kevin Sinfield has disclosed his departure from the England set-up this summer due to "personal reasons."
However, he expresses a strong desire to continue his career in rugby union coaching.
“Do I still want to coach? Yes. What that looks like, I’m not sure at this stage,” Sinfield told The Telegraph.
“I’m pretty excited about what’s to come this year with England, and then there is a lot of unknown for me and I don’t know what it looks like going forward. I’ll make the best of it.
“I don’t know where that is or what it looks like, but I’ve really enjoyed coaching and I don’t ever feel like I really left rugby league because of my role with Rugby League Cares, the charitable arm of the sport. What I do know is I want to continue to support and help people.
“When what happened with Rob [Burrow] happened it was a big shift in my life, and it felt right to use my experience as a player to help me support players and other people.
"I try and use that in the best way moving forward. I won’t rule out anything at this stage, as I think I’d be daft to. I think it’s very unlikely I’ll go back into rugby league, but I’ll never say no.
“I think you will understand my main focus is the team this week. I don’t want anything to disrupt our performance. They are personal reasons, and I think for that they need to remain private. I think it’s important my reasons are kept private for now.”
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"Drop Genge, Steward" - Brian Moore picks his England XV for 2024 Six Nations opener

In a bold move reminiscent of his illustrious playing days, iconic hooker Brian Moore has unveiled his handpicked England XV for Steve Borthwick’s squad in the upcoming 2024 Six Nations opener against Italy. 

BACK-THREE:

15. George Furbank
14. Tommy Freeman
11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

Moore wrote in The Telegraph: "

George Furbank would probably edge this pick strictly on club form and this game would be ideal to see if the Northampton Saints full-back can make the decisive step into a starting role after his first series of England starts were inconclusive."
"I would go straight for Exeter’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. It would be his first cap, but opening against Italy is the least pressured of Six Nations debuts and, cynically, it would secure his allegiance for the forthcoming years.
"You can never choose a completely risk-free debut, but you will never have an understanding of any player’s potential unless you give them a chance."

CENTRES:

13. Henry Slade
12. Fraser Dingwall
Moore wrote in The Telegraph: |As Oscar Beard is also out through injury that leaves Fraser Dingwall, replacement call-up Max Ojomah or Daly. If Borthwick goes for the latter, it is the safe option but, given this is Italy, he should give Dingwall a start and just see where it goes."
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HALFBACKS:

10. Marcus Smith
9. Alex Mitchell
Moore wrote in The Telegraph: "Picking half of the half-back picks is simple. Alex Mitchell’s club form has continued from his France 2023 heights, but it is which No 10 will play that signals Borthwick’s intent. 
"Marcus Smith would suggest a Mitchell-Smith longer term partnership but there is no point preferring Smith over George Ford if the Quins No 10 is not given licence to play with alacrity and the inevitable mistakes that will come with that freer approach being tolerated, at least in the short term."

FRONT-ROW:

1. Joe Marler
2. Jamie George
3. Dan Cole
Moore wrote in The Telegraph: "As the best two scrummaging props, Joe Marler (if fit) and Dan Coleshould give England the absolutely necessary solid scrum ball, but it is at prop where England do not have flawless depth.
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Joe Marler of England warming up during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 12th March 2022 - PHOTO: George Tewkesbury/PPAUK
"Ellis Genge and Beno Obano are dynamic but not yet world-class scrummagers. On the tighthead there is no undisputed challenger to Cole, and this is something that England will need to solve to maintain set-piece solidity over a full game."

SECOND-ROW:

4. Maro Itoje
5. Ollie Chessum
Moore wrote in The Telegraph: "They should continue their second-row partnership but both have to step up to consistent ball-carrying in the loose, as well as their primary roles in the scrum and line-out.
"This pairing has the feel of the Itoje-Kruis team that served England so well in the past. If they get anywhere near its effectiveness England will have a solid foundation for their pack."
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Woodward wants Maro Itoje back in the second-row

BACK-ROW:

6. Chandler Cunningham-South
7. Sam Underhill
8. Ben Earl
"Alex Coles might be preferred for bulk and as a line-out option, but it would be interesting to see a conventionally balanced back row with Ben Earl at No 8 and Sam Underhill at openside flanker."
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Dejection for Ben Earl of England after the Six Nations Championship, Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 4th 2023. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

QUIZ: Name Every Head Coach to Win the Men’s Guinness Six Nations (2000 – 2023)

The brains behind the Six Nations masterplans, these head coaches have all won 'Rugby's Greatest Championship', since the modernised competition began back in 2000. Throughout the history of the competition, there have been only five head coaches to win the competition on more than one occasion.
However, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is looking to become the sixth, as he orchestrates the men from the Emerald Isle into defending their Six Nations Grand Slam. In total, the Six Nations has been won by 13 different head coaches, and we challenge you to name them all in the next six minutes!
Your time starts... now! Good luck!
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