Kyle Sinckler applauds England’s ferocious Autumn Nations Cup tackling as infectious

ENGLAND prop Kyle Sinckler says seeing his side’s defensive dominance at close quarters is “infectious” and drives the squad on to continue inspiring the next generation of players.
By Dave Craven
Published 23rd Nov 2020, 19:41 BST
TOUGH TACKLING: England's Billy Vunipola (left) runs at Ireland's Peter O'Mahony during the Autumn Nations Cup match at Twickenham on Saturday. Picture: Adam Davy/PATOUGH TACKLING: England's Billy Vunipola (left) runs at Ireland's Peter O'Mahony during the Autumn Nations Cup match at Twickenham on Saturday. Picture: Adam Davy/PA
TOUGH TACKLING: England's Billy Vunipola (left) runs at Ireland's Peter O'Mahony during the Autumn Nations Cup match at Twickenham on Saturday. Picture: Adam Davy/PA

They face Wales on Saturday looking to build on their 18-7 Autumn Nations Cup victory over Ireland when Eddie Jones’s steely side showed such authority over their befuddled rivals.

England made 246 tackles and missed just nine but it was the ferocity of some of those hits and relentless nature of them that made them stand out.

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It is clear they are looking to atone for last year’s World Cup final defeat and reach new levels, even if their attacking play might still need another look.

The energy was palpable and British Lion Sinckler admitted: “You’re looking at Billy (Vunipola), Mako (Vunipola) , the kamikaze boys, Maro (Itoje)... everyone just flying in wanting to get a piece of the action.

“It’s just infectious and that’s where we want to take our game.

“One of the pleasing things was we didn’t wait for Billy to make a big carry or Maro to get a big turnover or tackle, or (Tom) Curry or (Sam) Underhill to get a turnover, it was just literally from the minute go we just wanted it.

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“We were buzzing to be out there and I think that comes back to understanding the privilege we have to be playing the sport we love in these times, not taking it for granted and the platform we have as players to inspire the next generation.”

INFECTIOUS: England's Kyle Sinckler (left, in action against wales during the Six Nations clash at Twickenham back in March. Picture: David Davies/PAINFECTIOUS: England's Kyle Sinckler (left, in action against wales during the Six Nations clash at Twickenham back in March. Picture: David Davies/PA
INFECTIOUS: England's Kyle Sinckler (left, in action against wales during the Six Nations clash at Twickenham back in March. Picture: David Davies/PA

Fit-again Luke Cowan-Dickie and Anthony Watson return to a 35-man training squad with George Furbank and Jacob Umaga withdrawn due to injury.

England’s final autumn game will be at Twickenham on Sunday, December 6 (2pm).

Related topics:EnglandEddie JonesIrelandWalesBilly

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