England’s Kyle Sinckler reveals new look for Wales match after gory injury
After emerging as an injury doubt for this weekend’s Test against Wales after leaving the field against Italy covered in blood, England tighthead Kyle Sinckler is available to play.
The Bristol Bears prop left the field at Twickenham following an incident of friendly fire from fellow prop Ellis Genge, whose boot smashed into Sinckler’s face.
Take a look at the injury:
Lo de Sinckler es por persona interpuesta, es la bota de Ellis Genge la que lo defenestra… pic.twitter.com/XOlgnpsfG5
— Javier Señarís Senra (@RutgerBlume) February 12, 2023
The 29-year-old returned to his club during the fallow week, but England forwards coach Richard Cockerill played down the severity of the injury, saying: “Kyle’s got a bit of a cut on the end of his nose. He’s a 29-year-old tighthead and those are the first stitches he’s had on his face, so he was probably due some!
“And it was from Ellis Genge’s boot, so it was friendly fire as well! Kyle’s fine, he’s just avoiding opening them up again in training, but he’s doing everything else.”
Sinckler returned to the England squad this week, and has been named as part of the 26-man squad that will prepare for round three of the Six Nations at the Principality Stadium. He has, however, returned a changed man. The prop has been sporting a Batmanesque face mask this week, and could well do so against Wales on Saturday as well. The question is how long will it last?
.@KyleSinckler ready to rumble in @SixNationsRugby round 3⃣ in Cardiff 🥊 pic.twitter.com/AVR05SYNu2
— Bristol Bears 🐻 (@BristolBears) February 21, 2023
ENGLAND SQUAD
FORWARDS
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 97 caps)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 11 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 45 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 74 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 10 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 64 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 96 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 16 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 76 caps)
Jack Walker (Harlequins, 1 cap)
Jack Willis (Toulouse, 7 caps)
BACKS
Henry Arundell (London Irish, 4 caps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 103 caps)
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
Max Malins (Saracens, 16 caps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 14 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 53 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 19 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)
Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 52 caps)
