Sinfield’s current title is skills coach, but the former rugby league international says his role is very varied, as he has also been seen working with England’s kickers before they address the ball.
Marcus Smith began the tournament as England’s fly-half and main kicker but his disappointing performance from the tee against France led to namesake Fin Smith converting Elliot Daly’s winning try late on.
Marcus Smith retained the kicking duties in the victory over Scotland before Fin Smith took the responsibility for a long-range penalty from just inside the halfway line.
Asked whether England have a main kicker, Sinfield said: “Typically it’s been Marcus for this campaign.
“That kick where we changed at the weekend was from bang on the halfway line and on a slight angle as well so it’s understanding what people’s ranges are. The guys actually made that decision on the field.
“The balance between them is great. They understand the team has to come first and sometimes that means some decisions are made, not just around kicking but with selection, positions people play in and the minutes they get.”
Marcus Smith has played the past two matches at full-back, with Fin Smith steering the attack from fly-half, but Sinfield says the aim of the decision is to utilise the Harlequins playmaker’s strength in space.
“I think he’s played in that [full-back] role a number of times for Quins,” added Sinfield. “He perhaps hasn’t started there, but certainly gone there in games when Jarrod Evans has gone on.
“We know he is a world-class number 10 and part of our role as coaches is trying to get our best players on the field, and sometimes that means they have to shift positions slightly.
“One of Marcus’ big qualities is how he beats people and what he’s like in spaces that are a little bit bigger and when the gaps are a bit bigger, and trying to get him into those positions is a big part of why he was moved to 15.
“That’s not to say it will continue or to say it will change, it’s to say the fact he has some flexibility in his play is really important to us.”
