Kevin Sinfield, the former Leeds Rhinos and England rugby league captain, has received a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours — just the second rugby league figure to be knighted after Billy Boston — while six members of England's Euro 2025-winning squad have been made MBEs.
The Lionesses appointed MBEs are Michelle Agyemang, Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo, following five of their team-mates who were recognised in the New Year list. The honours come after England women's football triumph at Euro 2025, though the specific tournament success is not detailed in the source.
“Kevin Sinfield knighted, six Lionesses made MBEs in King's Birthday Honours.”
Sinfield, 45, led Leeds to seven Super League titles between 2004 and 2015, and has since raised more than £11m to aid research and support families affected by Motor Neurone Disease. The current England rugby union defence coach was inspired by his close friend and former team-mate Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 aged 41 after a five-year battle with MND.
"My playing career was everything I could ever have dreamed of as a young man but the last seven years have given me so much inspiration," said Sinfield. "The MND community are the very best of us and it has been my privilege to support them and put their battle on the stage it needs."
Just four days before the honours announcement, Sinfield revealed his seventh and final annual challenge to raise money for MND charities. "I am pleased that this honour allows me to continue to raise awareness and I am looking forward to joining up with the '7 in 7' team again in September," he added. His first challenge was in December 2020, and he and Burrow were both made CBEs in the New Year Honours list in December 2023.
Rob's widow Lindsey said: "On behalf of the whole Burrow family, I would like to congratulate Kevin on his knighthood. We are all delighted for him and I can not think of a more deserving recipient. Kevin did so much for Rob but also the whole MND community. [It] means so much to so many people to have a champion like Kevin in their corner. As Rob used to say, everyone should have a friend like Kevin and so many people will be pleased to see him get this recognition."
The honours list also includes Neil Fox upgraded from MBE to CBE, OBEs for two-time Ryder Cup-winning captain Luke Donald, former snooker world champion Shaun Murphy and former England rugby union captain Emily Scarratt. Former Scotland international Lou Macari received an MBE for services to football and homeless people in Stoke-on-Trent, while Gary Street, who coached the England women's rugby union team to World Cup glory in 2014, was also made an MBE. Ex-Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein became an OBE for services to football and charity.