Kevin Sinfield Leeds Rhinos captain

Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield led his side to a battling opening victory over Huddersfield last weekend.

And he took time out from his preparations for last Friday's crunch clash against Wigan to answer some of your e-mails.

Q. In the modern game is there that much difference playing at loose forward compared with stand-off?
Ian Robertson, Liverpool

It's a good question and one I get asked quite a bit. With some clubs there is a slight difference but I would say the way we do things at Leeds there isn't really - it's very similar.

At Leeds we have the loose forward defending out of the scrum, so in terms of that there is not much difference at all. It is important that you get the mix right for loose forward, hooker and half-backs, and I believe we have that at Leeds.

Q. I've read that England rugby union prop Andrew Sheridan can bench press 215kg. Who can bench press the most at Leeds?
Trev, Wales

Ali Lauitiiti is one of the strongest players at the Rhinos

To be honest, the bench press isn't really an exercise we do that much. We tend do a lot of own bodyweight stuff and a lot of press-ups and exercises that are particular to our game.

Perhaps Jamie Peacock or Ali Lauitiiti would be the best at that. I don't think they would be in Andrew Sheridan's league but I'm sure they could do 150 or 160kg.

Q. Do you think that after the likes of Iestyn Harris and Andy Farrell moved to union, it is something you would like to try at any point? If so, what position do you think would suit you best?
Chris Bates, Essex

It was something I thought about before I signed my last contract a few years ago. There was an option to play union but I just felt that I had not achieved all I wanted to in league. I still feel that way at the moment - I am very happy where I am.

I don't know what is around the corner. I am a big admirer of union, it does appeal to me but whether it happens or not I am not sure.

Position-wise, I think it would have to be in the centres. It would be too much of a switch to learn the technical side of the game in the pack but I also don't want cauliflower ears! I do like the role of fly-half but you would need to be playing for a couple of years to fully understand the role.

Q. Would you ever consider leaving Leeds and playing in Australia?
Jenny, St Helens

I am very happy at Leeds at the minute. I have got another two years with the club after this season and I am really enjoying my rugby.

The team I am playing with is very special and the coaching staff are fantastic. The club as a whole is a very good place to be and I believe it's one of the best in the world already. If I stayed at Leeds for the rest of my career I'd be very happy.

Q. What influenced you to begin your rugby league career?
John McBurnie, York

My older brother Ian. I was a footballer as a kid, a lot of people are - you can play it anywhere and you don't need any specific equipment or training facilities.

But my brother started at the local amateur team and came home one day and said the under-nines were short of players. I was seven at the time and I thought I would give it a go. I loved it.

Q. I read that Che Guevara was a hero of yours. Do you think socialism has a future in global politics?
Martin Fuller, London

Che Guevara was reportedly a rugby fan - but union, not league

I don't think it does unfortunately. It is something I was brought up with and I still believe in it but unfortunately it does not have a future because of the way people are and how they go about their jobs.

We are far too selfish as a world at the minute. We are going more and more right-wing unfortunately.

Q. What impact has the birth of your son Jack had on your life?
Dave Rhodes, Huddersfield

It's had a massive impact. At first it is a huge shock with all the feeds during the night but my partner was excellent - she did most of them.

She realised how important my sleep was in terms of training and getting the most out of my body for games. But after six weeks we were pretty lucky as he started to sleep through. We both realised how lucky we were.

In terms of impact on my life and rugby I think it has totally improved it.

I couldn't imagine life without him now. All my spare time apart from rugby is around Jack and I love spending time with him. It's hard to appreciate until you have a child of your own but it is as good as people tell you.

Q. What are your interests away from the game?
Claire Kelly, Wigan

I am doing a sports science degree at Leeds Met University which I really enjoy. A few of the lads are doing it. It's a complete break from the rugby side of things and we get to use our brains a bit more than we would do normally.

It's important for rugby players to realise that not everybody is fortunate enough to be able to have a great career and not work at the end of it.

Other than that, I like watching films and going to the cinema. I like a bit of golf, although I don't have a handicap - more social golf. And I love spending time with the family really.

Q. How much does the link with the Leeds Tykes help you as a player?
Gareth, Leeds

If I'm honest it doesn't help much at all, we just share the same training ground and facilities.

In the past I have done some kicking work with their old backs coach Jon Callard, which helped quite a bit. But as of late we don't really have that much to do with them.

We are good friends and there is a bit of banter between the codes. There is a healthy respect and admiration for each other but we don't learn that much from each other.

Q. With the introduction of Les Catalans into Super League, do you think the RFL should have given a league place to a new club in the UK?
James Oliver, Leeds

The fact that we have promotion and relegation gives other parts in the UK the chance to get into the Super League. One day I would like to see a team in Cumbria and one in South Wales.

The French option is a great option. Having played there a number of times, you realise the enormity of the sport down there. I can only see positives coming from it.

They have a very good team and to start like that against a team like Wigan is a great achievement for them. Hopefully it will help the French national team and hopefully spread the game a bit wider as well.

If you would like to contribute to Kevin's next Q&A, please send us your question using the form on the right of this page