Rugby World Cup 2023: England prop Kyle Sinckler 'grateful' for World Cup involvement
- Published
Kyle Sinckler recovered from injury to start for England against Japan and Chile in Pool D
England prop Kyle Sinckler says he is "grateful" to be at his second World Cup after convincing Steve Borthwick he would recover from injury in time.
Sinckler was a doubt for the tournament in France after tearing a pectoral muscle in his chest before England's final warm-up game with Fiji in August.
But the 30-year-old recovered in time to play in England's second World Cup match, against Japan.
"The scan didn't look great but I knew it would be fine," said Sinckler.
"For me there's a massive amount of appreciation and gratitude to be back out there because it was kind of touch and go.
"Fair play to the medical staff and Steve for trusting me and to say, 'I know my body, I am going to be fine'.
"And thank you to my team who work for me off the field. They have really stepped up and helped me and I have been on recovery 24/7 since that game.
"I'm just grateful to be here - my second World Cup and my 13th or 12th year playing professional rugby."
Sinckler has been the first-choice tight-head prop for England since 2018 but Borthwick's reliance on Will Stuart in the early warm-up games suggested Sinckler's position could be under threat.
His injury set him back further, but consecutive starts in the wins over Japan and Chile are expected to be followed by selection for England's final Pool D game against Samoa on 7 October.
Sinckler says expectations of the modern prop have evolved during his career.
"The only thing that is not expected from me is to kick and take high balls. The role has changed since I first came on the scene," he said.
"The way I played tight-head prop, a lot of people said, 'You can't do it that way,' because of my ball-carrying, tips, chasing. I had to really work hard on my scrummaging because that didn't come naturally.
"Now it's: 'We want you to make 10 carries, we want you to make 10 tackles. We want you to get two or three scrum penalties. We want you to be strong in the kick chase, We want you to hit the rucks.' The standard is high and that is what I expect of myself."
'Exceptional' Curry poised to return
Meanwhile, flanker Tom Curry is in "phenomenal shape" and pushing to return to the side against Samoa, said scrum coach Tom Harrison.
Sale's Curry has played fewer than three minutes of rugby since the Premiership final in May after being sent off on his return from an ankle injury during England's win over Argentina.
He was banned for the wins over Japan and Chile but is expected to return against Samoa.
"Tom is a unique player in that I don't think I've ever come across anyone so fit, or so willing to work hard and put himself through pain," said Harrison.
"He just seems to be able to enjoy it and keep going. There was a conditioning session the other day where he finished his reps and (fitness coach) Aled Walters was shouting at him, 'Get out, get out'.
"He just stayed in and carried on running. When he did finally decide it was time for time for him to get out, he left the drill and Ellis Genge started hammering him for leaving the drill. And you just saw him getting so angry about it.
"He is in phenomenal shape. He has been brilliant. Unfortunately he was suspended, but he was brilliant by not going, 'Oh I'm suspended for these two games'. Instead he went, 'How can I help England win?'.
"The work he was doing to help make training hard and difficult for the guys playing, and also the work he was doing with the back rows. To add his experience and his knowledge to our team meetings has been exceptional."