England Under 20s

Kyle Sinckler

Key Facts

Squad	Harlequins
Position	Prop
Age	20
Height	1.83m (6'0")
Weight	120kg (18st 12lb)
Caps	U20: 13

Modelling himself on Carl Hayman, the All Blacks prop, has helped to uplift Kyle Sinckler to international age group status.

He said: “In my opinion, Carl is the best tight head prop that the game has seen and I also admire Dan Cole.” Kyle’s own capabilities have been put in focus. He said: “I started at centre and then got pushed into the front row.” He appeared in all ten England U20 matches last year and three in the 2013 RBS 6 Nations at that level. He had figured in 13 of 17 games in the U18 age group between December 2009 and August 2011. Kyle had also won U16 international honours.

His skills also took him into Harlequins Academy after ten years with Battersea Ironsides and by early April this year he had made ten first team appearances – initially against Gloucester in the Aviva Premiership in September 2011 and then against Sale Sharks in the LV= Cup two months later.

Kyle, who has also spent time on loan at Richmond, added: “Colin Osborne, from Harlequins, scouted me while I was playing for Battersea and he is always there for advice whether it is about rugby or general life. Tony Diprose and Ian Peel have also helped to improve my game. Joe Marler is a prop I also admire.”

After attending Furzedown Primary and Graveney Secondary School both in Tooting where he was born, Kyle moved on to Epsom College. He concentrated there on business studies, philosophy and PE, having enjoyed a busy time in the summer of 2010 with England U18 in South Africa and a tour to Hong Kong, the Cook Islands and New Zealand with Epsom College.

Kyle, a newcomer to the U20 squad last season, made his debut at that level in the side that beat Scotland 59-3 win at Firhill in February 2012 and also started the subsequent four matches for the title-winning England team in the Six Nations Championship. He also had the distinction of scoring a try in both of the first two games against Italy and Ireland in the IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa in June last year. His other sporting involvement has been in athletics, football and cricket but his target is to play for England and the British & Irish Lions.

His most memorable match was for England U20 in one of his three appearances in games against Ireland. He said: “We came back in the second half and won, showing great team spirit and determination.”