Rugby League Apr 02, 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

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...

Super League Rivals Round 2026: Old grudges return, iconic derbies remain a constant

Super League Rivals Round 2026: Old grudges return, iconic derbies remain a constant

Easter is on the horizon and for those who follow Super League that means one thing and one thing only... It is Rivals Round!Over one weekend, old wou...

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

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 a...

Good Friday derby: Head coaches Matt Peet and Paul Rowley receive same message ahead of St Helens vs Wigan Warriors

Good Friday derby: Head coaches Matt Peet and Paul Rowley receive same message ahead of St Helens vs Wigan Warriors

For St Helens head coach Paul Rowley and Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet there has been one simple message delivered to them by fans: Beat 'that l...

Willie Peters to end historic Hull KR tenure at end of Super League season to become inaugural PNG Chiefs coach

Willie Peters to end historic Hull KR tenure at end of Super League season to become inaugural PNG Chiefs coach

Willie Peters will end his historic tenure as Hull KR head coach at the end of the Super League season.The 47-year-old will leave Craven Park having m...

Super League greatest XIII: The results of YOUR votes with Leeds Rhinos, St Helens, Wigan Warriors and more included

Super League greatest XIII: The results of YOUR votes with Leeds Rhinos, St Helens, Wigan Warriors and more included

The votes have been counted, the debate is over. You have decided your greatest Super League XIII of all time.Over six weeks the votes have flooded in...