Prop forward belies hothead reputation by ignoring Australia’s goading to play a key role in
World Cup quarter-final victoryWhen Warren Gatland said Kyle Sinckler had “a few demons to deal with” after Wales’s Six Nations victory over
England in February he was no doubt smiling inside. His plan had worked, because although Sinckler had played for an hour like a man possessed he ultimately lost his cool, as Gatland had predicted, having described the England prop as an “emotional time-bomb” beforehand.
Eight months on and the enduring image is Sinckler’s smile. It started even before he had splashed over against Australia for his first England try and beamed as he lay flat on top of the ball in celebration. Perhaps the most relevant part of Sinckler’s performance was, however, his refusal to bite on
Australian bait. He was offered ample opportunity, the Wallabies often patting him on the head if a scrum decision went against him or chirping in his ear, trying to push his buttons.