Kevin Sinfield inspired by Rob Burrow to go out of his comfort zone

Drew Darbyshire 04 Jan 2023 8:45 AM

Kevin Sinfield has paid tribute to his former team-mate and close friend Rob Burrow for helping him find new challenges in his life.

Sinfield has landed a major role with England rugby union, working closely alongside head coach Steve Borthwick, focusing on their defence.

The Rhinos legend says to the opportunity to work alongside Borthwick was a pulling factor, but Burrow’s diagnosis with motor neurone disease as an influential factor behind his successful transition into rugby union.

Sinfield has undertaken a series of running challenges to raise funds for research into MND, with the latest being in November when he ran 300 miles in seven days.

“Rob has inspired me in so many different ways”

“As soon as I finished the challenge after Rob had been diagnosed, I knew I had to do something different with my life,” Sinfield said.

“A lot of that is based around Rob. Rob’s faced with this horrific disease and I realised I needed to take some risk and I needed to find more challenges in my life.

“As a player you get so much fulfilment from playing and I did – I took so much satisfaction.

“When I stopped playing, I was not lost but I was trying to fill a void I could never fill again.

“The opportunity at Leicester presented itself, which I jumped at. I didn’t have any idea at that stage that I’d find myself here in 15-16 months time. If you’d have told me, I’d have to pinch myself.

“A couple of things I’ve got from Rob are about fight.

“Rob’s inspired me in so many different ways and it’s probably a large reason why I’m here today because without that horrible news I’m not quite sure I would have come down this path.”

Meanwhile, former Hull FC boss Brett Hodgson has left his position as defence coach for England rugby union following the departure of Eddie Jones.