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Sinckler sizes up challenge of England's four-day RWC turnaround
By Online Editors
Kyle Sinckler insists his Lions experience has prepared him for England’s four-day turnaround that launches their World Cup in Japan.
Eddie Jones’ squad play their first match against Tonga in Sapporo on September 22 before locking horns with the United States in Kobe shortly after, placing strain on their front row resources.
Alongside Dan Cole, Sinckler is one of only two tighthead props picked by England and because of Mako Vunipola’s hamstring injury, he will have to be involved in both games.
But the 26-year-old is ready to put his body on the line knowing he faced similar demands with the Lions in New Zealand in 2017.
“I’m a rugby player. I want to play rugby. I’m not very good at just sitting around. I want to keep busy,” Sinckler said. “The Lions has helped me because we had pretty short turnarounds on that tour – sometimes Wednesday to Saturday.
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“Sometimes guys had to double up and in some cases triple up. It won’t be an issue. I’ll just have to focus on my recovery and keep my head down.”
Sinckler will be playing in his first World Cup and having been a keen student of the tournament, he knows the emotions involved. “I’ve watched all of them. In 2003 we won it and 2007 we lost in the final – brutal.
“I remember we got pumped by South Africa in the first game and I thought: ‘This isn’t going to be good’ but we got to the final. I watched them at home with my mum. Anything to do with England and sport – rugby, cricket, football – I love it.
“In 2011 it was a bit disappointing losing to France, but 2015 I watched it as well. They do have a massive impact and we realise we have a massive responsibility to deliver and to be successful.”
- Press Association
WATCH: The trailer for the new RugbyPass documentary on Tonga as they prepare for the World Cup in Japan
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Latest Comments
BB can’t pass? Right…
Go to commentsEven the 20/30 cappers did too I reckon.
IDK, I think Jordan has a limited life span in this side unless he can develop more to his game. Like you go on to mention, I think theyres more important things to worry about than the effectiveness of someone's extra strings, or secondary components to their game.
Bash backs are Fosters thing, and to a large part they've made it work. Theyre now one of the best teams in the world.
They boy's trucked it up a bit against Italy in the redzone, and against France, wasn't that effective without the right players probably.
Try and take a look at it this way. Dissapointed Havili and Blackadder were in the side? Havili despite clearly shown that he can't do what the team needs at 12 was kept on for the RWC. Back goes down and he brings in Blackadder who doesn't play. Refuses to drop Christie when he should and look who starts this season. Beauden Barret not playing well enough to keep his 10 jersey but we gotta keep him in the side. Weve only got one 8, we stuff developing another I'll just play Ardie every game.
This years team wasn't burdened overly with injuries but they were in every position Razor might have wanted to try and development, severely limiting options. I'm not defending Razor as there was also plenty of other opportunity to make up for it and he was a little gunshy, but I'm also not going to overly criticise him because he chose cohesion over a black slate.
I think more and more people are on board with it being time to try alternatives, but then again, how would they have reacted to a loss against Italy? 😉
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