England assistant coach Kevin Sinfield believes that the disruptive build-up to the Rugby World Cup has not divided the team but only brought them closer together.
It has been less than ideal for England, who suffered a double suspension to captain Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola, both for dangerous tackles. Farrell’s situation went on longer than normal with his red card initially being rescinded by Six Nations Rugby only for World Rugby to appeal and hand him a four-game ban.
As if that was not enough Jack van Poortvliet and wing Anthony Watson have both been ruled out of the global showpiece through injury whilst there are concerns over the fitness of Tom Curry and Elliot Daly.
Pulling together
Sinfield believes the group has responded well to the chaotic period and it has brought them closer together.
“We were a tight group already, but how you handle those setbacks and those obstacles are really important to how the team moves forward and how the team functions,” Sinfield said.
“After each one of those blows – if you call them that – we’ve got back up and gone again. We’ll continue to do that. These obstacles will continue to bring us closer together.
“In another group, in one that wasn’t as experienced or as hungry to do well, it might have been really, really challenging for us.
“When things start to pull apart there are fractures – groups start to break off and spend time together, sitting together and having separate meetings. There is none of that.
“They are very much together. Meal time shows you a lot of that – where people sit, the time they spend together. And on the field, how hard they work.
“Performances haven’t been where they have needed to be, but we are having constructive conversations too.
“The players are working together and nobody is blaming anybody – they are the signs that let you know we have a good group.”
Ready for France
Sinfield believes that the challenges will help the side deal with anything that comes their way in France.
“I believe that everything happens for a reason. We understand that when you’re preparing for something like this, improving is never a straight line,” Sinfield said.
“We didn’t envisage encountering as many challenges as we have had, but it will prepare us for what’s to come when we get to France.
“In many ways the fact that we’re dealing with this now hopefully makes it easier for us when we get to France.
“The group are pretty tight, we’ll continue to fight and move forward and be better against Fiji.”
READ MORE: England lodge complaint to World Rugby over ‘bewildering’ disciplinary process which resulted in Owen Farrell’s ban
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