Sinfield knighted and six Lionesses made MBEs

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Kevin Sinfield has been recognised as well as England footballers Lauren James, Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly By Ben Collins BBC Sport journalist Published 5 minutes ago Kevin Sinfield has received a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours while six of England's Euro 2025-winning squad have been made MBEs. Sinfield, the former Leeds Rhinos and England captain, is just the second rugby league figure to be knighted after Billy Boston. Fellow rugby league legend Neil Fox has been upgraded from an MBE to a CBE, while there are OBEs for two-time Ryder Cup-winning captain Luke Donald , former snooker world champion Shaun Murphy and former England rugby union captain Emily Scarratt . The latest Lionesses to be appointed MBEs are Michelle Agyemang , Jess Carter , Hannah Hampton , Lauren James , Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo , after five of their team-mates were recognised in the New Year list. Former Scotland international Lou Macari has also been made an MBE, for services to football and homeless people in Stoke-on-Trent, along with Gary Street, who coached the England women's rugby union team to World Cup glory in 2014. Meanwhile, ex-Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has become an OBE for services to football and charity. 'Everyone should have a friend like Kevin' Image source, PA Media Image caption, Sinfield and Rob Burrow became friends while playing at Leeds Rhinos together 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 ago Sinfield announced 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. Sinfield's 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." Sinfield is the third-highest