Kyle Sinckler's controversial 54th minute non-barge splits Twitter

Wales headcoach Warren Gatland nearly got his Kyle Sinckler ‘timebomb’ moment.

“I think the thing with Kyle, there is no doubt he’s a very good player in terms of his carrying, scrummaging and work-rate,” Gatland remarked on Friday. “There is a challenge sometimes with his temperament. He’s aware of it. Other players are aware of it. We’ve already seen in the Six Nations that he has been involved in a couple of incidents.

“Hopefully, we don’t get dragged into that on Saturday. Emotionally, he can be a bit of a time-bomb. I am not saying anything that people aren’t aware of.”

England attack coach Scott Wisemantel hit back, cautioning against trying to wind him up.

“If they target him then they’re leaving 14 other blokes to do their jobs, so good luck,” Wisemantel said. “We saw in the Australia game during the autumn that he has a quick wit and can refocus very quickly. It’s probably Warren trying to stir the pot a bit.”

The England tighthead appeared to lean into Welsh 10 Gareth Anscombe in the 54th minute immediately after a kick from the Cardiff Blues playmaker.

The Harlequins prop held his line, while at the same time learning his upper body into his opponent, connecting heavily.

Referee Jaco Peyper saw the incident in real time, and didn’t have an issue with it, even choosing not to refer to the TMO.

Just moments later video appeared to show the tighthead with his arm around the neck of Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones. Tellingly, Eddie Jones decided to sub him off then and there, maybe sensing that the prop was reaching his boiling point.

56' WAL 9 – 10 ENG

PEN WALES | England penalised for a high tackle and Anscombe hits another from in front of the sticks.

SUB | @HarryWilliams91 comes on for @KyleSinckler.#WALvENG

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 23, 2019

Twitter was more split on the matter than referee Peyper, with both Welsh and English fans criticising the prop for different reasons.

https://twitter.com/vanpalmero/status/1099370540928851968
https://twitter.com/_AudaciousAngel/status/1099370529084059648
https://twitter.com/JohnnyTea00/status/1099370310015639553
https://twitter.com/Clairescarlets/status/1099370271063056385
https://twitter.com/zoe_jb_ashdown/status/1099370226968395783
https://twitter.com/Jumile/status/1099370178016616449
https://twitter.com/LeeMJayne/status/1099370134899171328
https://twitter.com/Womble101/status/1099370118180552704
https://twitter.com/RhysProGreen/status/1099370069807763457
https://twitter.com/runfatboyrun27/status/1099370055979155456

Warren Gatland said Kyle Sinckler can "emotionally be a bit of a time bomb" in the build-up to #WALvENG this week.

Will that be in the Englishman's head today?#GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/Tcj0ENJ9i0

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 23, 2019