Hor will fires war ning to Kyle over ill-discipline
HARLEQUINS skipper James Horwill has told hot-headed prop Kyle Sinckler to clean up his act if he is to fulfil the potential of becoming the best tighthead specialist on the planet.
Sinckler, 26, was a British & Irish Lions hero in 2017 and has been a mainstay of England's forward effort since superseding Dan Cole during last year's Six Nations championship.
However, disciplinary indiscretions continue to haunt the south Londoner, who was recently sinbinned for slapping Sale's Faf de Klerk in the stomach before throwing a Clermont Auvergne player to the ground – needless acts of petulance that cost his side dear.
Harlequins lost both games and Horwill says Sinckler must sort out his issues ahead of the World Cup if England are to challenge for the title.
“Kyle's got to learn from these situations and England need him to iron it out because they need him in order to be successful,” Horwill told The Rugby Paper.
“There's a difference between being aggressive and showing edge and going over the limits – and that's the key challenge Kyle is now facing. He's got to make sure he doesn't overtread the line because his physicality makes a difference to a team.
“That sort of stuff you saw against Sale and Clermont is avoidable and across the board you want to get rid of avoidable penalties and cards. You want that out of your game because it hurts your team, gifts the opposition points or territory and puts pressure on.”
As skipper, Horwill says he has taken Sinckler to one side to get the message across.
“I've spoken to Kyle about it and I think you saw a reaction against Exeter that proved that he is listening,” Horwill said.
“He's got to let his rugby do the talking now, rather than the other stuff, and if he does that, Harlequins and England will be a whole lot better for it.
“He's got a huge future and he was excellent against Exeter. When he's in that form, he is the best tighthead in England and he could be the best tighthead in world rugby with his ability to play with the ball, carry the ball and make dominant tackles.
“His scrummaging ability is getting better and better and we've seen what happens with England when he takes the game by the scruff of the neck.
There are not many tightheads in the world that can do that, but the discipline is something he's got to get sorted.”
Meanwhile, Horwill reveals he may attempt to follow in the footsteps of fellow Aussies Joe Roff and Dan Vickerman by playing in the Varsity match at Twickenham.
Horwill, 33, who is mulling his options postretirement this summer, said: “I can't carry on playing at the top level, but Oxford and Cambridge are on my radar.
“Joe and Dan did it before and it's obviously a very prestigious event at Twickenham, but there's still water to go under the bridge before that. I'd probably look to take my masters degree in business or an executive MBA and I'm considering all that.”
With the World Cup looming, Horwill, the 62- cap former Wallaby captain hopes Australian rugby can get back on track after being “hijacked” by the furore over Israel Folau, currently undergoing a disciplinary hearing into comments he made recently on social media.
Horwill added: “Rugby in Australia isn't in the best position when there should be a lot of excitement around the World Cup but unfortunately it's been hijacked by the current situation. Hopefully it can be resolved and we can talk about rugby.
“Once you get into camp, you're all fighting for the same cause, but the Israel Folau situation needs putting to bed so everyone can move on, including Israel.”
