.jpg) Sinckler representingHarlequins during theAviva Premiership | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Kyle Norval Jonathan Nikolas Sean Sinckler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | (1993-03-30)30 March 1993 (age 32) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Wandsworth, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 116 kg (256 lb; 18 st 4 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Graveney School and Epsom College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Kyle Norval Jonathan Sean Sinckler (born 30 March 1993) is an English professionalrugby union player who plays as aprop forTop 14 clubToulon.[3][4]
A graduate of the Harlequins Academy, Sinckler made his brief debut in the2011–12 season, before going out on loan to Richmond for the entire season, becoming part of the squad that won promotion to theNational League 1. He returned to Harlequins for the2012–13 season as a primary squad rotation player; a brief loan to Ealing followed in thefollowing league campaign, before breaking into the first team squad.
Sinckler has represented England at under-16, under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels, and has been a crucial member of the senior team since 2016, in which he has won theSix Nations Championship, theCalcutta Cup and theMillennium Trophy.[5] Sinckler's performances for England led to him being included inWarren Gatland's squad for theBritish & Irish Lions'tour to New Zealand in 2017. In 2019, he was a member of the England squad that finished as runners-up toSouth Africa at theRugby World Cup in Japan. He was substituted due to a head injury in the third minute of thefinal, having been accidentally elbowed byMaro Itoje as they both made a tackle.
Sinckler was born inWandsworth, London, and grew up in Merton. He began playing rugby from the age of eight. Sinckler says that it was his mother, Donna, who instigated his rugby career. According to Sinckler, he was a keen footballer though his physical nature resulted in him dropping the sport.[clarification needed] His mother took him to localrugby union side Battersea Ironsides in Earlsfield. Sinckler attendedGraveney School andEpsom College.[6][dead link][7]
Sinckler began hisHarlequins career when Academy coach Collin Osborne saw him, aged 12, playing at one of his various positions, this time full back, against King's College School OB, Wimbledon, where his talent was immediately spotted.[8]
Sinckler graduated from the Harlequins Academy squad after playing his first game for the club in their 42–6 thrashing overGloucester in round 2 of the2011–12 Premiership although he only appeared for the last 5 minutes of the game.[9] Sinckler only went on to play one more game for Harlequins in that same season, coming off the bench againstSale Sharks during their 37–25 victory in the2011–12 LV Cup. During this season, Sinckler was sent toRichmond on loan, where he helped them earn promotion toNational League 1.[10]
Sinckler then spent the whole of the following season playing at Harlequins where he made seven appearances, all of which were from the bench. He played in various competitions, and made hisHeineken Cup debut againstZebre which Harlequins went on to win 53–5.[11] Sinckler highly contributed to their2012–13 LV Cup winning campaign, playing in four out of the six games, including the semi-final againstBath.[12][13]
Sinckler was sent on loan toEaling Trailfinders at the beginning of the2013–14 season; though intended to be for the entire league campaign, he was recalled by Harlequins.[14] Sinckler made his way into the Harlequins match-day team, whenPaul Doran-Jones sustained an injury early on in the season. He made his first appearance for the season during a 37–13 victory overWorcester Warriors.[15] However, Sinckler did have to wait until mid-February to gain his first start for the team, which occurred in a 25–20 defeat toGloucester.[16] A week later, Sinckler went on to play his first full game for the club, which Harlequins narrowly defeated Worcester 21–20.[17] Sinckler went on to start in their Premiership semi-final play-off tie againstSaracens, which resulted in a 31–17 defeat.[18] In May 2016, Sinckler was a member of the side that lost toMontpellier in the final of theEuropean Rugby Challenge Cup.[19]
On 27 January 2020, it was confirmed that Sinckler would join fellowPremiership sideBristol Bears, signing onto a two-year deal.[20][21] It was agreed that Sinckler would remain atHarlequins for the remainder of the2019–20 season, officially joining Bristol during the summer.[20] On 16 October 2020 Sinckler started for the Bears side that defeatedToulon in the final of theEPCR Challenge Cup to win their first ever European trophy.[22] Sinckler extended his contract with Bristol until the end of the 2023/24 season in October 2022.[23]
On 29 March 2024, Sinckler would end his England career as he signs for top French sideToulon in theTop 14 competition from the 2024-25 season.[24]
Sinckler was named in theEngland under-20Elite Player Squad ahead of the2011–12 season.[25] In his first season, he played ten times, across both theSix Nations Championship and2012 IRB Junior World Championships.[26] At the Junior World Championship in South Africa, Sinckler scored in pool stage victories againstItaly[27] andIreland.[28] He was reinstated into the squad for the2012–13 season, playing in just three matches in the2013 Junior Six Nations, due to his commitments withHarlequins.[29]
His form forHarlequins across the2012–13 and2013–14 seasons landed Sinckler a place in theEngland national side for the uncapped annual fixture against theBarbarians.[30] He was named in the starting line-up for the "England XV", in a 39–29 defeat.[31] After his performance against the Barbarians, Sinckler was picked overWill Collier to go on tour with the rest of the England squad.[32]
Sinckler was called up to the seniorEngland squad again by new head coachEddie Jones, on 8 May 2016, for a three-day training squad.[33] He made his debut for the Senior team on 12 November 2016, coming on forDan Cole during the remaining 10 minutes againstSouth Africa.[34] Sinckler was a member of the side that retained their title during the2017 Six Nations Championship, missing out on a grand slam with defeat in the last game of the tournament away toIreland.[35]
During the2019 Six Nations Championship, Sinckler was referred to byWales head coachWarren Gatland as an "emotional timebomb", because of some incidents that had occurred during his stint in the2017 tour to New Zealand with theBritish & Irish Lions.[36] In the match against Wales that followed, Sinckler gave away several penalties that proved critical to the match result, and was taken off in the 57th minute.[37]
Despite his drop in form, Sinckler was later selected in England's squad for the2019 Rugby World Cup.[38] He was named in the starting line-up in all but one match, and scored his maiden test try in their quarter-final victory overAustralia.[39] The team's excellent form during their campaign saw them qualify for thefinal against South Africa; in the third minute, Sinckler made accidental contact with teammateMaro Itoje's elbow while attempting to tackleMakazole Mapimpi and was knocked out. After being helped on the field by the medical staff, he was helped off and ruled out for the rest of the match, in which they were defeated 32–12.[40][41]
Sinckler was a member of the team that won the2020 Six Nations Championship and later that year started for the side that defeatedFrance in the final of theAutumn Nations Cup.[42][43] He scored his second try at international level againstItaly during the2022 Six Nations and the next round against Wales saw him make his fiftieth appearance for England.[44][45]
On 19 April 2017 Sinckler was included in the list of players selected for theBritish & Irish Lionstour to New Zealand in June and July.[46]
On 6 May 2021 Sinckler was left out of the squad to tour South Africa.[47] On 6 June 2021, Sinckler was called up to theBritish & Irish Lions as a replacement forAndrew Porter due to injuries.[48]
In July 2017, Sinckler was arrested inCentral Auckland, during a night out with his teammates on the conclusion of the British & Irish Lions' tour to New Zealand.[49] According to reports, Sinckler was involved in a "minor incident" whilst celebrating the Lions' 15–15 draw againstNew Zealand.[49] He was placed under arrest though was not prosecuted; police officers escorted Sinckler back to his hotel shortly after the incident.[49] Sinckler openly apologised for his actions.[49] He has a dog called Brody.[50]
| Try | Opposing team | Location | Venue | Competition | Date | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Australia | Ōita,Japan | Ōita Bank Dome | 2019 Rugby World Cup | 19 October 2019 | Win | 40 – 16[39] |
| 2 |  Italy | Rome,Italy | Stadio Olimpico | 2022 Six Nations | 13 February 2022 | Win | 0 –33[44] |
| 3 |  Wales | Cardiff,Wales | Millennium Stadium | 2023 Six Nations | 25 February 2023 | Win | 10 –20 |
| 4 |  Ireland | Dublin,Ireland | Aviva Stadium | 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches | 19 August 2023 | Loss | 29 –10 |
