England players weigh in on Red Rose coaching saga as ‘top bloke’ Kevin Sinfield backed
England coach Kevin Sinfield and Sale Sharks duo Joe Carpenter and Tom Roebuck.
Kevin Sinfield has been tipped to extend his stay on England’s coaching staff – a prospect that would be welcomed by members of Steve Borthwick’s squad.
Head coach Borthwick has seen defence coach Felix Jones walk out while strength and conditioning supremo Aled Walters – who has joined Ireland – and fitness guru Tom Tombleson also quit their RFU roles.
But reports last week claimed that Twickenham bosses have now stepped up their efforts to tie down rugby league icon Sinfield with a new long-term deal.
His current contract with the RFU is set to expire in November and he has yet to commit to extending his stay.
The 44-year-old first joined Borthwick’s staff from Leicester Tigers in December 2022 but initially planned to leave after this summer’s Tests in Japan and New Zealand.
Sale full-back Joe Carpenter was part of Borthwick’s squad during their summer tour without earning a cap and said he hopes Sinfield remains part of the England set-up.
A popular figure
Former Leeds Carnegie prospect Carpenter told Planet Rugby: “Kev’s a top bloke and I enjoyed working with him massively on tour.
“He’s always looking out for the lads, which is important in environments like that when your main guy is just striving to win.
“Sometimes the lads who aren’t playing – and maybe aren’t as happy as the boys who are playing – Kev was a helping hand throughout those five weeks.
“He really drives that team who aren’t playing to bring out the best in themselves and, more importantly, out of the team who are playing at the weekend.
“He’s full of knowledge, Kev, and his skillset – kicking and passing-wise – is just incredible.
“All that specific stuff that you’re working on, he’s there to make you better.”
Carpenter, 23, hails from Headingley in Leeds and knows all about Sinfield’s legendary status in Yorkshire.
He is the most successful captain in Leeds Rhinos’ history after skippering them to seven Super League Grand Final wins at Old Trafford.
Carpenter revealed: “Kev used to go to a gym in Leeds where my dad went. My dad used to speak to him there but Kev didn’t really know who my dad was.
“Then, at one of the Sale games, he was there and Kev asked: ‘what the hell are you doing here?’
“He replied ‘I’m Joe’s dad!’ and we always used to see him down at the Rhinos when I played for Leeds Carnegie because we trained at the same place.
“We used to go and watch the Rhinos all the time – the likes of Sinfield, Rob Burrow and Jamie Peacock who would go and absolutely smash it.
“To see what Kev has done now off the field since he retired, with all his incredible fundraising, sums him up really and shows how mentally tough he is.
“He’s a top bloke and loves helping the lads in the England environment, so it would be good if he stayed on but that’s for him to decide.”
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Carpenter’s close friend and Sale team-mate Tom Roebuck was also part of England’s summer tour and earned his maiden Test cap in the win over Japan.
‘The mark of the man’
The prolific 23-year-old winger told Planet Rugby: “I loved working with Kevin Sinfield – I think he’s class.
“He’s a proper good lad and is always looking out for you to make sure you’re alright.
“He connects with you on a personal level whereas maybe some other coaches in other environments don’t.
“He’s the guy who will come and see how you are and genuinely care for you.
“He’s a really good man and I spent a lot of time with him on tour just chatting about anything.
“He’s got some pretty cool stories about the fundraising challenges he’s done and his Super League career.
“He flew back to England during the tour in order to attend Rob Burrow’s funeral, before heading straight back to New Zealand, which showed the mark of the man.
“I don’t really know what he wants to do, but an environment involving Kevin Sinfield can only ever be a good thing.”
Tom Curry’s view
A third Sale player, flanker Tom Curry, was also part of England’s summer tour but said his sole focus right now is on his own game rather than the upheaval within Borthwick’s backroom staff.
Curry has battled back from a career-threatening hip injury which required surgery.
The 26-year-old said: “Honesty, I genuinely don’t care. As in, what’s happened has happened. I genuinely think the world of Steve.
“I think, this is me, he’s been brilliant to me. I’ve worked with him for a long time so I trust him to fill those positions but honestly I don’t care.
“What’s happened has happened. We’re just going to crack on and get better.
“I don’t think you can have any other thought process than that.
“I’m excited and I think it will be fun whatever happens. As players we have to step up anyway.
“We all just have to move in the right direction. It can only be a benefit to have new ideas.
“You have to think of the positives. What’s the point of anything else?”
READ MORE: England: The 11-man longlist as Steve Borthwick searches for Felix Jones’ replacement
