Assistant coach Kevin Sinfield to leave England after summer tour

England assistant coach Kevin Sinfield will be stepping down from his role following the summer series this year.

Sinfield was appointed England's defence coach in 2022 but has been assigned with skills and kicking coach for the upcoming Six Nations tournament and the summer tour to Japan and New Zealand.

Incoming coach Felix Jones will be in charge of the defence while former All Blacks coach Andrew Strawbridge will join as a consultant for the first month of the Six Nations.

Richard Wigglesworth will continue as the attack coach while Tom Harrison is in charge of the scrum.

"I am tremendously excited to start working with Felix who is a coach with an incredible reputation and with vast experience in international rugby," said England head coach Steve Borthwick.

"With his background in Irish rugby and his wealth of knowledge operating in the southern hemisphere. He will bring a different dimension to our coaching team.

"Andrew is another coach with a wealth of knowledge.

"He has worked extensively and successfully in Super Rugby and international rugby, most recently with New Zealand to help them to the final of the Rugby World Cup.

"Andrew has an incredible reputation in player development and has helped a large number of players progress to be amongst the best in the world.

"His work around the contact area is incredibly highly regarded, ensuring teams have the quick ball needed to launch a threatening attack.

"I can't wait for him to join the team and add the enormous value that I know he will bring."