| Venue:Murrayfield, Edinburgh Date:Saturday, February 5, 2008 Kick-off:16:45 GMT |
| Coverage: Live streaming on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live. |
England prop Kyle Sinckler said that he has learned a lot from his experience as a victim.
The 47-cap pro has been an England regular since his debut in 2016. He is now set to take part in Saturday's Six Nations game against Scotland.
Sinckler (28 years old) says he has made a lot of progress since joining Eddie Jones' team.
He said, “At the moment I thought that I was a lot more than I was and I was greatly surprised by my own abilities.”
Sinckler shared his thoughts on the Rugby Union Daily podcast. “I saw just how far I was from the boil, not only in terms of rugby ability, which I thought at that time was amazing.
“But, I had a huge victim's mindset — ‘the Coach doesn't like' me. [former Harlequins coach]Conor O'Shea won't pick me'. In reality, though I was talented, I was lazy.
“I would punch in at 9am for training, and once it was over I was home to watch Sky Sports News from the sofa.”
Sinckler believes that the 2016 tour to Australia, when he was not selected for the three-Test series but was still chosen, “relit” the fire in him.
“It was for me the best thing that I didn’t play, it gave me that hunger and I have tried to make the most every day since then,” he stated.
Sinckler has been twice a British Lion and an Irish Lion. He is now set to earn 50 caps for his nation during the Six Nations.
The forward for Bristol stated, “For me potentially to be getting 50 caps is an amazing experience, but it also means more when you're part of a successful group.”
“I want the team winning games every week, as opposed to last year's experience. That wasn't good for anyone.”
Scotland game is an acid test
A revamped England finished fifth in the Championship in 2021. However, Sinckler said that this Saturday's Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield was the “acid test”.
England's buildup has been severely disrupted. Captain Owen Farrell was ruled out. a host of other players doubtfulSinckler insists that it is “business as normal”, regardless of whether the victim has suffered injury or Covid.
He stated, “We play an atritional sport and can't remember when everyone was fit.”
“Obviously these guys will be greatly missed, but it allows for other guys to step in.
“I feel that we are in a great place as a team, but the true test is the first match and you can see where you stand.
“All that we can do at the moment is connect as a squad off of the field, building those connections and those bonds, and then getting on the field to work tremendously hard.
“I feel that we are in an extremely, very good place in terms of both the experience we have as a group and the young men coming through. I believe we have a very good mixture of both, and it's going be exciting.
“I am excited to be chosen and to get out there and do my thing.
