British and Irish Lions prop Kyle Sinckler admits that he is in a ‘bit of rugby heaven’ playing alongside a number of highly experienced forwards.
Sinckler will pack down in a tight five including Ireland captain Rory Best and Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones on Saturday when the Lions face the Provincial Barbarians.
It has been a rapid rise for the Harlequins tighthead, who impressed this season with his ball-carrying, and now Sinckler gets the nod for the Lions opener alongside his club team-mate Joe Marler.
“I’m in bit of rugby heaven at the moment,” he told The Independent.
“I’ve got Rory Best next to me who has 104 caps, I’ve got Alun Wyn Jones who, I think, has 102 (actually 110), Joe Marler, regarded as one of the best looseheads in the world, Sam Warburton, [Taulupe] Faletau. I’m just trying to learn off these guys and see what works and what doesn’t.
“I am just taking it all in and try and learn because these guys have 100-odd, 70-odd caps for a reason and that’s where I want to be, so there’s no greater place for me to be at the moment than learning off these world-class players.”
And Sinckler freely admitted that it would not take a lot to get him fired up for Saturday’s opening game of the tour.
“I’m just excited to go out there, play rugby and hit people for a living,” Sinckler told The Independent.
“I don’t need to get excited to play rugby. I can’t wait to get out there to train this afternoon. I don’t need a massive rev up. I’m ready to go.
“Warren is quite good. He lets the players be themselves. I’ve tried to be myself, to get to know the boys and the banter is definitely flowing. It’s good that there’s a game on Saturday and we can put all our hard work out there to play rugby. It’s good to see where you are as a team, get a good result, get the win and get the momentum to build for the guys who get to put on the jersey next week.
“There is a fine edge. If you get too emotional, too revved up, too psyched up, you lose your focus and get into little scuffles, you start over-thinking things.
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