Why football reject Kyle Sinckler can prove a huge hit for England on tour of Australia

Don’t stop me now: Kyle Sinckler is a powerful — and feisty — prop who hits big but also has the ability to score tries
(David Rogers/Getty Images)
Chris Jones25 May 2016

As a youngster, Kyle Sinckler switched from football to rugby because his willingness to get involved in the physical side of the round-ball game was starting to cause problems. Now, that aspect of his personality is exactly why England head coach Eddie Jones has included the Harlequins prop in his squad for the three-Test tour of Australia this summer.

Sinckler is a feisty tight-head, who has been mentored at Quins this season by Adam Jones, the former British and Irish Lion and Wales front-row forward.

Wandsworth-born Sinckler will be heading Down Under as part of a 32-strong England squad desperate to put pressure on Leicester’s Dan Cole, the incumbent of the No3 jersey, who has been a key member of the England set-up since making his Test debut in 2010.

Sinckler, 23, was a surprise inclusion in the England squad that toured New Zealand in 2014 but he is now better equipped to push for inclusion in the match squad for the three-Test series.

Jones said this week that he expected next month’s tour to be “an enormous scrap” — what would seem to be a perfect environment for Sinckler, who has endured a frustrating campaign with his club, where he has had to fight for a starting place against Jones and Will Collier.

His Quins colleague, Nick Easter, is confident that Sinckler can become the latest member of England’s golden rugby generation to break into the international arena.

Sinckler was a member of the England Under-20 squad that included George Ford, Anthony Watson, Jack Nowell, Billy Vunipola, Jack Clifford, Luke Cowan-Dickie and club-mate Marland Yarde, all of whom have broken into the senior team.

Easter, the England No8 who will be part of Quins’ coaching set-up next season, said: “Kyle has a lot of ability and plays on the edge, which you want. When he first started at the club, he was told off for being too physical in training but I quite like that in him. He is that sort of guy who is very entertaining and great as part of the squad.

“He knows he hits big and his 30-metre bursts are just the icing on the cake because scrummaging, hitting rucks and mauls are his main jobs. Eddie has seen what we have all recognised in Kyle and has fast-tracked him into the tour. Adam Jones has been a great mentor for Kyle.

“This is a fantastic generation for England. It looks like they are kicking on as well, helping win a Grand Slam and Saracens winning the European Cup with great, young English players. It is scary to see how far they can go.”

Sinckler scored two tries in his last three games for Quins, highlighting the impressive pace the prop can generate and something former team-mate Ugo Monye believes sets him apart.

“Kyle is very quick for a prop and has all the attributes to play the kind of game Eddie Jones wants,” he said. “Kyle is a monster in defence and puts real dents in the opposition line.

“He is pretty uncompromising on the pitch and loves to carry the ball. He has incredible potential. Kyle is so willing to learn and I am thrilled he has been given this chance.”

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