Banned prop Sinckler to miss Scotland clash

England prop Kyle Sinckler will miss their opening Guinness Six Nations rugby match against Scotland at Twickenham on February 6 after receiving a twoweek ban for failing to respect the authority of a referee.

Sinckler appeared before an online independent disciplinary panel after being cited for the incident which took place in Bristol’ s Gallagher Premiership victory over Exeter on Saturday.

The 27-year-old Bears prop said to referee Karl Dickson “are you f *****g serious?” after the official ruled there had been no foul play in a tackle by Luke Cowan-dickie.

Sinckler contested the charge but it was upheld and he is free to play again on February 9, making him available for the fixture against Italy at Twickenham.

He apologised for the outburst straight after the game, admitting it was “not the example I want to be setting”.

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones is “coming along very nicely” in his recovery from a knee injury, according to Ospreys boss Toby Booth.

Jones was hurt during Wales’ Autumn Nations Cup victory over Italy in early December.

Initial forecasts suggested he could be sidelined for two months or more, raising doubts over his availability for Wales’ opening Six Nations games against Ireland and Scotland next month.

The 35-year-old Ospreys lock has made a world record 152 Test match appearances for Wales and the British and Irish Lions.

Wales’ opening Six Nations appointment with Ireland is scheduled for February 7 and the skipper could be on course to make that game.