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- Steve Borthwick lost several coaches including his key assistant Felix Jones
- But the RFU have renewed efforts to keep Kevin Sinfield on a long-term basis
- Sinfield’s current deal is set to run down in November and he has yet to commit
England have offered Kevin Sinfield a new three-year contract with Steve Borthwick keen to keep him on his backroom team after losing several coaches, reports claim.
Head coach Borthwick has seen defence coach Felix Jones walk out from his collapsing support set-up while strength and conditioning supremo Aled Walters – who has joined Ireland – and fitness guru Tom Tombleson also quit their RFU roles.
Jones took up Sinfield’s former job before this year’s Six Nations but shocked Borthwick after stepping down. Discussions over his departure date are ongoing.
The Telegraph say the RFU have now stepped up their efforts to tie down rugby league icon Sinfield with a new long-term deal. His current contract with the RFU is set to run down in November and he has yet to commit to extending his stay.
The 43-year-old first joined Borthwick’s staff from Leicester Tigers in December 2022 but initially planned to leave after this summer’s Tests in Japan and New Zealand.
England have offered Kevin Sinfield a new contract with Steve Borthwick keen for him to stay
Borthwick has lost several of his key lieutenants after a surprise summer coaching exodus
Sinfield then agreed to remain for the upcoming autumn internationals against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Japan.
It is said that Borthwick has asked the RFU to hand Sinfield a contract matching his own, meaning the fresh terms would stretch through to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
A consultancy role was reportedly discussed in the summer but Borthwick’s lobbying for Sinfield to be offered a full-time role on a £300,000 salary proved successful.
Sinfield, Borthwick’s de facto No 2, is said to have become frustrated over the lack of definition to his job. He took up a role encompassing both kicking and skills after Jones’ arrival in January but remains popular with the squad.
The Telegraph claim that Borthwick is currently weighing up his options over the defence coach vacancy with Sinfield unlikely to take up his old role.
Felix Jones (pictured with Sinfield) was among those to walk out in a major shock for the RFU
But Gloucester’s Dan Tobin will join England as their new strength and conditioning coach
As reported by Mail Sport, Borthwick took his first step in moving on from a summer of upheaval after appointing Dan Tobin as a strength and conditioning coach.
Last week, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney admitted the three departures had been far from ideal but gave his full backing to Borthwick.
Questioned on whether Walters and Jones had given explanations for leaving, Sweeney said: ‘No, and I think it’s pointless to speculate on the reasons why.
‘There have been no concrete reasons given. It’s not appropriate to speculate whether they are personal or whatever.’
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