MITCHELL: SINCKLER IS AWESOME

KYLE SINCKLER has received emphatic backing despite losing his cool in last Saturday’s defeat in Cardiff. Wales head coach Warren Gatland had identified the Harlequins prop, 24, as an ‘emotional timebomb’ and his players set out to target the England star. Despite putting in a fine performance, Sinckler conceded two penalties in quick succession in the second half before being taken off. But yesterday England defence coach John Mitchell backed the prop, saying: ‘He has been awesome. He is an exceptionally gifted athlete as a tighthead. He is 24 — as he matures, he is going to be outstanding. ‘He is just going through a process, like any young man, learning and growing in self-awareness. I think we are blessed with an outstanding player. ‘You want players to play on the edge — that is what the game is about. In this generation of players, you don’t have a lot who do that. ‘The last thing we want to do is take that away from him.’ England head coach Eddie Jones has insisted Sinckler should not be the scapegoat for defeat, but it was clearly an uncomfortable experience for a relative rookie at Test level. Mitchell argued that it was a sign of the Lions forward’s growing status within the game that he had been the subject of Welsh wind-ups. ‘Most teams are targeting the best players,’ he said. ‘The great thing is that they see him as one of our best players. That is a great accolade.’ Jack Nowell echoed Mitchell’s support, adding: ‘For me to play in the same team and see him out there doing that is good. I’d definitely rather be playing with him than against him.’