Kyle Sinckler: Watching England in World Cup final was massive motivator for me
Sinckler was 10 when he watched most of the 2003 clash with Australia on television.

Kyle Sinckler was inspired to play for England by the 2003 World Cup final ā despite being forced to miss Jonny Wilkinsonās drop-goal in order to study maths.
Sinckler was 10 years old when he watched on television as Martin Johnsonās side were held 14-14 by Australia at the end of 80 minutes, ushering in a period of extra time that was ultimately settled by Wilkinsonās boot.
But the enthralled Sinckler never got to see the greatest moment in English rugby history as his mum Donna had ordered him to study.
āWatching 2003 was a massive motivator for me. I remember when the final was on, I had a maths tutor,ā the Bristol prop said.
āObviously it went to extra time and then my mum ā honestly I donāt know, sheās so ruthless that woman sometimes ā she literally turned the TV off and took me to my maths tutor.
āSo I had to do my maths lesson and I found out afterwards that weād won! Honestly, it was full-time and she said āyouāre going to your maths tutorā. I said: āYouāre joking!ā
āBut she was adamant: āNope. Iām paying my money. Iām working hard to pay for your maths tutor so youāre going.ā
āI was like: āYou are so evil, ridiculous!ā Donāt even start with that woman! Nuts. Nuts!
āBefore that I was literally glued to the TV, it was so inspiring for me watching that. It gave me, I guess, the hope that I wanted to emulate that one day.ā
England are desperately short of form for their latest attempt to claim a second world title having lost five of their last six Tests.
They open France 2023 with a tricky clash against Argentina, who sit two places higher in the global rankings in sixth.
āItās the real deal straight away. Every Test match you play itās tough. Iāve never had an easy Test match in my life,ā said Sinckler, who is expected to overcome a chest injury in time to face the Pumas.
āIt pushes you to the limit and thatās why itās called a Test ā it does test you. But if you want to be the best, youāve got to beat the best.ā