Sinfield gets Rooney backing

Kevin Sinfield has been given the backing of Wayne Rooney as he prepares to lead England for the first time.

Rooney, who captained England for the first time against San Marino earlier this month, has become an avid Leeds Rhinos fan and was one of the first people to send a message of congratulations to Sinfield on his appointment as England skipper.

"He sent a really nice tweet to Phil Daley, our media manager at Leeds, and he passed it on," Sinfield said.

"His support, certainly around Grand Final time, has been a big boost to all of the Leeds lads.

"The fact that he's showing an interest in the England squad now is good for all of us.

"I wouldn't compare myself to him at all. I think what he's achieved in football is huge.

"I think it's really good for our sport that an England football captain is bothered about rugby league and is supportive of us. It shows as a sport that we are growing."

Sinfield shot to prominence before his England appointment after recovering from being knocked out in the Grand Final to inspire Leeds to a sixth Super League title. Typically modest, the Oldham-born international was oblivious to all adulation that accompanied his man-of-the-match heroics at Old Trafford.

"I'm not a social networker, it's not my type of thing," he said.

"I obviously care about what people think of me but my family are the most important people and, as long as the coaches I'm playing for and my team-mates around me appreciate what I do, then I'm very happy."