SWEARY SINCKLER IS HIT FOR SIX

KYLE SINCKLER will miss the start of England’s Six Nations title defence after being banned for swearing at a referee.

The Bristol prop received double confirmation yesterday that he would be absent from England’s Twickenham opener against Scotland.

First he was handed a two-week suspension for failing to respect the authority of a match official with his “are you f***ing serious?” comment to referee Karl Dickson (below).

Then, any suggestion that the coronavirus could delay lay the start of the Championship, thereby allowing him to sit out club games instead, was hoofed into touch by tournament chiefs.

“Six Nations Rugby confirms plans to stage the men’s Guinness Six Nations Championship remain as scheduled,” said a spokesperson. That confirmation came despite orga organisers postponing both the women’s and men’s Under-20 Six Nations tournaments until “spring or early summer”. su

Given Gi the worsening Europe-wide health emergency it is entirely possible those plans could change before the February 6 kick-off. If all goes to schedule Sinckler will be available to coach Eddie Jones for England’s second match, at home to Italy on February 13.

In a further blow to Jones, Exeter confirmed that Jack Nowell, who had surgery on his foot in October, is out for up to six more weeks. have confirmed that 13 players and five staff from nine different clubs tested positive for Covid in the latest round of testing.

OUT OF STEP Sinckler pays the price for abusing a referee