England Performance Unit created to help win World Cup

An England Performance Unit has been launched with the aim of developing more world-class England players for all senior squads by the next World Cup.

Rugby Football League rugby director, Kevin Sinfield, will lead the EPU. The Unit has a clear strategy of creating an England Performance Pathway with better quality of players transitioning to the men’s, women’s and wheelchair squads by 2021 and delivering a world-class England performance environment.

Sinfield will be supported by a number of Performance Unit staff, including England pathways coaches Paul Anderson and Paul Sculthorpe, national programmes manager Dave Elliott, human performance lead Chris Black and head of operations Jane Phillips.

England’s head coach Wayne Bennett and team manager Jamie Peacock will also provide additional support.

On the England Performance Unit, Sinfield, said: “Our mission for the EPU is to help develop more world-class players and create a supply of elite players in the game capable of winning a Rugby League World Cup.

“The men’s senior squad at the 2017 World Cup tournament showed how close and committed we are to achieving success on the biggest stage. Underpinning their performance was a culture of high standards and behaviours and that is something we want to replicate with all players who represent England at senior men, Knights, Women, Wheelchair, Academy and Youth level.

“Throughout the whole process, the EPU will work with and be fully supportive of all our Super League clubs who continue to raise the levels of intensity and performance from grassroots upwards – the clubs are at the heart of talent development.

“We firmly believe the retention of more players within the England Pathway will produce more world-class players as our men’s, women and wheelchair teams aim to win their respective World Cups in 2021.”

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