Rugby League Apr 04, 2026

England rugby league: Kevin Sinfield on interview panel to advise on new head coach from 'world-class' applicants

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
England rugby league: Kevin Sinfield on interview panel to advise on new head coach from 'world-class' applicants

Kevin Sinfield is among the interview panel to advise on the next England head coach to replace Shaun Wane, who stepped down in January.

Wane stepped aside after a six-year period in charge after England suffered a whitewash defeat to Australia in the Ashes on home soil last autumn.

The panel to find his replacement will consist of Sinfield, who won the 2012 Golden Boot as the world's best player, new Rugby Football League (RFL) non-executive director Sara Symington, interim RFL chief executive Abi Ekoku and RFL chair Nigel Wood, with RFL executive director of performance and participation Marc Lovering offering support.

"On the back of his incredible career with Leeds Rhinos, Kevin Sinfield represented his country on more than 40 occasions, captaining England in the 2013 World Cup, and serving as rugby director four years later when the national side reached the World Cup final in Brisbane," Wood said.

"His knowledge, expertise and input will be invaluable as we undertake this important appointment.

"As a double Olympian in cycling, Sara Symington knows all about competing on the world stage.

"She has since worked as a performance advisor for UK Sport and reached medal targets when leading high-performance programmes with Archery GB, England Netball and UK Athletics before heading British Cycling's Olympics and Paralympics programme for three years through the Paris 2024 cycle.

"Abi Ekoku has experience as Great Britain's team manager when travelling down under, including for the famous 2006 Tri-Nations win over world champions Australia in Sydney, and we are all enthused by the calibre of the candidates we'll now assess."

The head coach role will initially be part-time to cover the World Cup, which will see England open against Tonga on October 20, with games against France and Papua New Guinea to follow.

"It is an exciting period for the sport, especially given how our athletes have already made such excellent starts to the new Super League season," Wood added.

"The autumn's Ashes series whetted the appetite for international rugby league and everyone here is looking forward to the prospect of heading to Australia at the end of this campaign for the 17th edition of the World Cup.

"We have had applications and enquiries from a wide range of world-class coaches, from both here and in the NRL.

"With the aid of our newly-assembled panel, we will now conduct interviews to narrow down our shortlist in readiness to find the ideal candidate."

Your Site will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on

Tags:

rugby-league news

Share this article

Related Posts

Hull KR vs Hull FC: Willie Peters ready for 250th game between the Super League clubs - 'This is the biggest derby of them all'

Hull KR vs Hull FC: Willie Peters ready for 250th game between the Super League clubs - 'This is the biggest derby of them all'

Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has been involved in many a derby match throughout his playing and coaching career, but he says none come close to th...

Bradford Bulls 12-24 Leeds Rhinos: Leeds climb to summit after beating Bradford in first Super League meeting in 12 years

Bradford Bulls 12-24 Leeds Rhinos: Leeds climb to summit after beating Bradford in first Super League meeting in 12 years

Leeds moved top of the table after overcoming Bradford 24-12 in the west Yorkshire rivals’ first Betfred Super League meeting in 12 years.The old foes...

Bradford Bulls head coach Kurt Haggerty ready for emotions surrounding Leeds Rhinos derby: 'We want to put on a show!'

Bradford Bulls head coach Kurt Haggerty ready for emotions surrounding Leeds Rhinos derby: 'We want to put on a show!'

Bradford Bulls head coach Kurt Haggerty knows that this week has been a little bit different as his side prepare to face Leeds Rhinos in Super League...

Paul Rowley: St Helens head coach interested in taking charge of England for Rugby League World Cup

Paul Rowley: St Helens head coach interested in taking charge of England for Rugby League World Cup

St Helens head coach Paul Rowley has expressed his interest in the vacant England head coach job, saying he has a "burning desire" to coach his countr...

Hull KR 24-6 Hull FC: Robins pull clear of local rivals to win fiery 250th derby in Super League Rivals Round opener

Hull KR 24-6 Hull FC: Robins pull clear of local rivals to win fiery 250th derby in Super League Rivals Round opener

Hull KR claimed successive Betfred Super League victories for the first time this season with a 24-6 win over Hull FC in a fiery 250th edition of the...

Rivals Round: Updates, scores, videos, analysis reports with Hull KR, Hull FC, St Helens, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls in action

Rivals Round: Updates, scores, videos, analysis reports with Hull KR, Hull FC, St Helens, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls in action

Man City won't stand in Rodri's way, says PepManchester City will not stand in the way of Rodri if he wants to join Real Madrid, says P...