Can rugby’s Kevin Sinfield be named Sports Personality of the Year?

LEEDS RUGBY hero Kevin Sinfield stands a great chance of claiming the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award but only if the Rhinos’ dedicated fanbase really mobilises behind their legendary former captain, an expert stat-cruncher said.

If just 15 per cent of the television audience for the Challenge Cup final voted once each for Sinfield, who bowed out of the game after leading his team to glory in this year’s cup final, it could be enough to clinch him the prize, according to Clive Lewis, a fellow of the Institute of Actuaries.

Mr Lewis, who is an expert in statistics and demographics, has followed the BBC award and its demographic voting patterns for last 10 years.

Video: Jess Ennis-Hill slaps up good, says Tyson FuryHe believes Sinfield’s inclusion on the shortlist - a first for any rugby league player since the competition’s inception in 1954, even if he has now switched codes to rugby union at the age of 35 - represents the sport of rugby league with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a winner of the award.

Based on past experience, Mr Lewis thinks 250,000 public votes could be enough to win the title this time around.

“I think it works in his favour that Captain Kev has made the shortlist in such a competitive year, and a concerted campaign in the Yorkshire region and within rugby league circles could secure him victory,” he said.

That two of 12 shortlisted athletes - tennis star Andy Murray and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton - have already won it in previous years, is a further boost to the other contenders, Mr Lewis said.