~RS~q~RS~v=~RS~z~RS~25~RS~)
Kevin Sinfield named England captain ahead of autumn Tests
Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield has been named as the new England captain.
The 32-year-old, who led his club to a sixth Super League Grand Final last week, made his England debut in 2000 and succeeds Jamie Peacock, who retired from international rugby last summer.
"Kevin was my number one choice," England coach Steve McNamara said.
The England team are currently at a high altitude training camp in Africa in preparation for the autumn series against France and Wales.
Sinfield made his Leeds debut in 1996 at the age of 16 and was made captain of the club in 2003.
In 2008, he set a club record by scoring in 63 consecutive matches and this year celebrated his 3,000th point for the Yorkshire side.
"I am immensely honoured to captain England Rugby League," he said.
"Representing your country is always special, but to captain England will be the proudest moment of my career to date.
"There could have been a number of candidates for the job, when you look at the number of leaders we have in the squad, but Steve McNamara has asked me take up the role and I will do it to the best of my ability.
England's opening match in the autumn series is against Wales at the Glyndwr University Racecourse Ground in Wrexham on 27 October.
They then host France at MS3 Craven Park in Hull a week later.
Comments
Jump to comments pagination
All posts are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules.
More from Rugby League
Elsewhere on the BBC
-
Winning business
Why trying to become a successful entrepreneur has never been more fashionable
-
Comment number 49.
MickH14th October 2012 - 22:18
Also forgot to add that at the current time there is only one candidate for captain . Arise Sir Kev
Link to this (Comment number 49)
Comment number 48.
MickH14th October 2012 - 22:08
Moley.
I agree with you that the codhead is a joke as a coach,but i think Ellis and Graham dont really fit the bill , and as for Tomkins his time will come ,at the moment he is too young and has not enough experience at international level but i think one day he will make it .
Link to this (Comment number 48)
Comment number 47.
moto74814th October 2012 - 18:59
As for mouthing off to refs, that's another area where we are way behind the Aussies: we have no-one in the same league as Paul Gallen, Michael Ennis, or Johnathan Thurston.
Link to this (Comment number 47)
Comment number 46.
Moley14th October 2012 - 17:32
Is the comment saying he respects the referees a joke? He is always chasing and mouthing off at the referee. Only Paul Wellens is worse than him in that respect.
Macnamara is a poor coach and he makes poor decisions (making Sinfield captain is one of is many poor decisions). Hopefully it is only the captain for the short term.
Ellis, Tomkins or 'Nasher' Graham should be captain.
Link to this (Comment number 46)
Comment number 45.
JackScat14th October 2012 - 17:08
The correct choice. Sinfield has been the pure professional, especially this year when Leeds were faltering earlier in the season. He has a commanding presence, and is respected by his team, which is a huge bonus for England as they will be seeking his leadership through a difficult tournament.
He also respects the referees in their decision making. Never the drama queen, just the model pro.
Link to this (Comment number 45)
Comments 5 of 49