00:01So Kevin Sinfield has reunited with the England Rugby Union squad as Steve Borthwick's coaching team begins preparations for the
00:112027 Rugby World Cup.
00:15Continuing his role as skills kicking and mentoring coach the Leeds Rhinos legend remains an integral part of England's Rugby
00:25Union set up after agreeing to stay on in a tournament focused role.
00:31Sinfield links up with the squad just weeks after receiving a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours recognising not only
00:40his achievements across Rugby League and Rugby Union but also his inspirational fundraising for the motor neurone disease community.
00:49His extraordinary efforts were driven by his lifelong friendship with former Leeds Rhinos teammate Robert Burrow, raising more than £10
00:57million and transforming awareness of the disease.
01:02While his legendary playing career was forged at Headingley, Sinfield's influence now extends across both codes.
01:09As England build towards the next Rugby World Cup, his leadership, technical expertise and ability to inspire players remain key
01:18assets within Borthwick's coaching team.
01:22Here is what Sinfield said after his knighthood.
01:25I've had so many messages and well wishes. It's been great to come into camp if I'm honest, to be
01:32cocooned away from the noise and the lads have been fantastic.
01:36You know, I've got a bit of stick early doors. But it's all been in good jest and yeah, it's
01:42been fantastic.
01:44But Penny, what kind of things have they been saying?
01:47I just call myself Kev. Which, yeah, still sort of trying to, I just Kev. So trying to work that
01:57through.
01:58I've had some wonderful messages. You know, we went out the other night in our retro shirts and one of
02:04the first messages I got was,
02:07very kindly when it broke was from Alan Shearer. So I very proudly wore my Alan Shearer shirt the other
02:13night.
02:14And yeah, like I said, I've had some great messages and to come away to South Africa and be in
02:20camp where, you know, I experienced it as a player being able to shut the noise out.
02:28But being here as a coach has been great because I've been a bit overwhelmed by the support back home
02:34and to be over here has been fantastic.
02:35Do you know Alan Shearer?
02:37I know him a little bit. He got massively involved with Rob in supporting the M&D charities and Rob
02:47was a huge fan of Alan's and I think anybody who grew up in that era watching Alan play and
02:53the goals he scored would be a fan.
02:55I'm sure. Yeah, it was a lovely message to receive.
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