Sinckler channels all his Lions anger

Bears prop produces man-of-the-match performance in derby victory over Bath

KYLE Sinckler admitted “I have never had so much anger inside me” after responding to his British & Irish Lions omission with a man-of-the-match display for Bristol Bears at Bath Rugby.

England prop Sinckler delivered a dominant performance as Gallagher Premiership leaders Bristol beat their West Country rivals 40-20 at the Rec to secure a play-off place.

Sinckler was among several highprofile players overlooked by Warren Gatland and his fellow coaches for the Lions’ South Africa tour this summer, failing to make a final 37-man cut.

“I am not going to lie – I am emotional,” Sinckler said after the derby clash. “I kind of understand the reasons why, but in a year or two’s time it will all make sense.

“Right now, it doesn’t make sense, but what I wanted to do was to lead by example and show the kids.

“How easy would it have been (for) me to play the victim, to say sorry me or to throw my toys out of the pram?

“It has been so tough – I have never experienced something like this in my career. I wanted to use that anger – I have never had so much anger inside me – and I used it in a positive way to do what is best for the team.”

Bears boss Pat Lam paid tribute to the way that Sinckler handled his Lions heartache.

He said: “It was a big shock. Why was it a shock? Because I think every pundit had him in. Every single person had him in the squad, but the way he handled himself was superb.

“To play like he did today was a credit to him. He will keep working