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A 'gutted' Kyle Sinckler has reacted to missing out on Lions

England's Kyle Sinckler. (Photo by Dan Mullan/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)
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England tighthead Kyle Sinckler has said he is “honestly gutted not to be involved” with the British and Irish Lions, but has said this is “not a time to feel sorry for myself and blame others”.

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The Bristol Bears prop was one of the shock omissions from Warren Gatland’s 37-man Lions squad to take on the world champions South Africa this summer. The selectors opted for the Irish duo of Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter, and Scotland’s Zander Fagerson over the Englishman.

Furlong’s place in the squad was always secure, but many of the squads that had been predicted in the build-up to the announcement included the 44-cap England international alongside one of Porter or Fagerson.

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Jean de Villiers on what will be a monumental Lions Tour | Rugby Podcast | RugbyPass Offload | EP 28

Sinckler featured in all three Tests against the All Blacks for the Lions four years ago, coming off the bench to replace Furlong in every match of the drawn series. Since then he has only improved, and his power and distribution have been key facets to Eddie Jones’ England. Indeed, some believe England’s rather limp World Cup final against the Springboks was partly down to the tighthead coming off in the opening minutes of the match.

In the wake of the squad announcement, Sinckler took to social media to address his omission.

“Honestly gutted not to be involved,” the 28-year-old said on Instagram.

“Appreciate the messages of support. Not a time to feel sorry for myself and blame others. Let’s get behind the squad, wishing the boys all the best.

“It was one of the best life experiences to go on the tour in 2017- I’m so grateful I got the chance to experience that. Looking forward to watching the boys carve up. Go well.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kyle Sinckler (@kylesinckler)

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England’s fifth place finish in the Guinness Six Nations may have hampered Sinckler’s case this year. Additionally, there were some initial teething problems with his move to Bristol from Harlequins last summer. Nevertheless, this was one of the calls that came as a surprise.

In the meantime, the prop still has a huge end to the season with Bristol, who currently sit at the top of the Gallagher Premiership with five rounds remaining.

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TT. 1 hour ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

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BC1812 1 hour ago
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TT. 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

And who would pick at 15 ? Tom Wright ? Harvey ?

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TT. 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Due to the League’s influence in our opinion ? Too young to recall that sadly…

Aren’t Paisami and Flook leaving Australia this summer ? Crichton could be the solution to a lot of their problems indeed.



...

13 Go to comments
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SB 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Him and Marky Mark on the wings at the World Cup, aerial kicks galore. Not sure where that leaves Jorgensen though.

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unknown 2 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

JAS plays at 13 because the Wallabies already have loads of high quality back three players and basically only two other top quality centres (ikitau and Parisian) one of whom is abroad currently and one of whom is heading to Japan (I’ve heard) - so that’s the area of key lack of depth

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NB 3 hours ago
'Move Sua'ali'i to 15 - Rugby Australia cannot afford another unfulfilled talent'

Aussie have always had a surfeit of good back three players, more so than centres, even in their best years around 2000-2003… I recall them trying to shoehorn Elton Flatley into 12 for the 2001 Lions series.

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NB 3 hours ago
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NB 3 hours ago
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