Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Kyle Sinckler makes dream start to life in Top 14

By Josh Raisey
Kyle Sinckler during the Barbarians training session at Mill Hill School on June 19, 2024 in London, England. The Barbarians will play against Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday June 22nd. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Barbarians)

Toulon’s Kyle Sinckler has made a great start to his life in the Top 14, making Midi Olympique’s team of the week for the third week in a row. 

ADVERTISEMENT

The 31-year-old has now made the team in three of the opening four weeks of the season, earning his place this week after his side Toulon triumphed over Top 14 newcomers Vannes 54-19 on Saturday.

Toulon’s meeting with Vannes at the Stade Mayol was expected to be a clash between two England props, with Sinckler going head-to-head with his former teammate Mako Vunipola, who has made an equally bright start to his career in France. The former Saracens star, however, missed the encounter.

Video Spacer

Sam Cane after his 100th Test for the All Blacks and TJ Perenara after his last home game | All Blacks post-match

Video Spacer

Sam Cane after his 100th Test for the All Blacks and TJ Perenara after his last home game | All Blacks post-match

Despite only being on the field for an hour, the Toulon tighthead completed 13 tackles, which was only bettered by one player on the field, France flanker Charles Ollivon.

Not only has it been a strong start for Sinckler personally, but the three-time European champions sit in third place in the Top 14, level on points with Bordeaux-Begles and Toulouse at the summit.

Fixture
Top 14
Toulon
54 - 19
Full-time
Vannes
All Stats and Data

Sinckelr was joined by one other Englishman in the team, Pau’s Joe Simmonds,  who scored 15 points in his side’s 30-16 win over Stade Francais.

The 68-cap prop recently opened up on the differences between the Top 14 and English rugby in an interview with l’Equipe in France.

ADVERTISEMENT

“In France, there is more pressure in the connections, I have to adapt to it,” he said.

“The spirit of the scrum is very different here. From the commands “flexion”, “liez”, “jouer”. If I switch early, too hard, I risk arriving at the end of the race at impact, devoid of power. I am still in the adjustment phase.

“In Toulon, the scrum is a story of life and death, it’s exhilarating. In England, we are more analytical. Here, the scrum, we put emotions into it. It’s a whole city and a region that vibrates. In Toulon you feel like a gladiator. I love it!”

Related

Enter now to stand a chance of winning tickets to all three British & Irish Lions Tests vs Australia

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

LONG READ
LONG READ Jordi Murphy: 'If you drop your output by even 5 per cent, there’s someone else ready to go.' Jordi Murphy: 'If you drop your output by even 5 per cent, there’s someone else ready to go.'
Search