Kevin Sinfield making huge impression in new role while preparing for charity run

Josh McAllister
Kevin Sinfield

Kevin Sinfield has already made a big impression at rugby union side Leicester Tigers.

Sinfield, 41, left his role as director of rugby at Leeds earlier this year to maker the code switch as a defence coach.

The former England and Rhinos captain is now also preparing for another charity run in support of former team-mate and friend Rob Burrow, who has MND.

Sinfield raised over £2.7m by completing seven marathons in seven days in 2020, and will now run 24-hours, covering 101 miles from Leicester Tigers’ Mattioli Wood Welford Road to Leeds Rhinos’ Emerald Headingley Stadium.

“We’re really blessed to have him”

“(He) doesn’t say too much, but when he speaks you know you’ve got to listen,” Leicester player Nemani Nadolo told the BBC.

“His presence lights up a room in those team meetings.

“He’s come over from rugby league to rugby union. He’s brought a wealth of experience. Particularly in our defence, it has gone up levels from the last few season. So, we’re really blessed to have him.”

Kevin Sinfield on rugby union and his next charity challenge

Sinfield added: “It’s been a huge challenge switching. The sports are very similar but massively different in so many areas as well. I didn’t know anybody. I’m starting from scratch.

“I suppose in many ways Rob, and what we did for Rob last December sort of pushed me down this route I think.

“Just the fact that you have to take some risks to try and get the most out of your life, and this opportunity presented itself and it’s been great.”

Speaking of his next challenge, with aims to raise £100,000 for those impacted by motor neurone disease, he added: “It was my wife’s idea to run from here to Leeds.

“My wife suggested ‘why don’t you run with both clubs that mean a fair bit to you?’, and you do the maths and work out the route.

“It’s all inspired by Rob. He’ll be in all of our heads and hearts when we take on the run. We’ll go and do our best for him.”

Starting on Monday November 22, the run will be split into 7km segments, each must be completed within an hour before the next one starts on the hour.

Leicester’s head of physical performance Aled Walters added: “It’s a ridiculous challenge, isn’t it?

“There’s got to be something pretty strong about him. He’s already done something ridiculous in the seven in seven days. He runs a marathon for fun now.

“It’s so far out of my realms of understanding what it will take, that I’ve absolutely no idea.”

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