The ‘Nuts’ reason Kyle Sinckler missed England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup Final

England front-row Kyle Sinckler has revealed that he was inspired to play by his country’s Rugby World Cup success in 2003, although he missed their win over Australia in the final to study maths.

Sinckler was 10 years old when the Red Rose were crowned World Cup champions in Australia, and the final was a thrilling affair with the sides deadlocked at 14-14 after 80 minutes, before England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson clinched victory for his team courtesy of a drop goal in the closing stages of extra-time in a thrilling showdown in Sydney.

Missed the end of the final to study

However, Sinckler did not get to see Wilkinson‘s heroics – or any of the action in extra-time as his mum Donna had ordered him to study.

“Watching 2003 was a massive motivator for me. I remember when the final was on, I had a maths tutor,” the Bristol prop said.

“Obviously, it went to extra time, and then my mum – honestly, I don’t know, she’s so ruthless that woman sometimes – she literally turned the TV off and took me to my maths tutor.

“So I had to do my maths lesson, and I found out afterwards that we’d won! Honestly, it was full-time, and she said, ‘you’re going to your maths tutor’. I said: ‘You’re joking!’

“But she was adamant: ‘Nope. I’m paying my money. I’m working hard to pay for your maths tutor, so you’re going.’

“I was like: ‘You are so evil, ridiculous!’ Don’t even start with that woman! Nuts. Nuts!

“Before 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.”

England are struggling with their form as they go in search of their second world title, having lost five of their last six Tests.

The Red Rose will open their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign with a difficult clash in Marseille on September 9 against Argentina, who are currently in sixth position in World Rugby’s official global rankings – two places above England.

Preparing for difficult challenge

“It’s the real deal straight away,” added Sinckler. “Every Test match you play, it’s tough. I’ve never had an easy Test match in my life,” said Sinckler, who is expected to overcome a chest injury in time to face Los Pumas.

“It pushes you to the limit and that’s why it’s called a Test – it does test you. But if you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.”

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