‘He’s in great nick’: Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam backs Kyle Sinckler to shine for England and make the Lions tour next summer as he reveals how the club fixed his persistent calf injury
- Bristol Bears boss Pat Lam has backed Kyle Sinckler to shine for England
- Sinckler arrived at Bristol with a persistent calf injury which has since been fixed
- Lam said the 27-year-old has been excellent since joining the club in July
- The manager also thinks the tight-head can make the Lions tour next summer
Bristol reckon they will give Kyle Sinckler the best chance of roaring with the Lions in South Africa next summer after solving his injury troubles.
The England tight-head, 27, has not yet hit his straps for the Bears since his July move and was benched for the Premiership semi-final defeat against Wasps last weekend.
But boss Pat Lam says Ashton Gate is the best place for Sinckler, who toured with the Lions in New Zealand three years ago, revealing his medical team have sorted his persistent calf issues.
Bristol believe they are giving Kyle Sinckler the best chance of shining for the Lions next year
The England tight-head has not yet hit his straps for the Bears since joining the club in July
‘Kyle has been excellent, both on and off the field,’ said Lam who is preparing Bristol for the Challenge Cup final against Toulon this Friday in Aix-en-Provence.
‘Kyle had a lot of calf issues before he arrived and the medical staff picked it up early and put together a plan that he had to commit to and he hasn’t had any issues, which is great.
‘He is in great nick and ready to go for England. He’s been superb for us.
‘He’s looking forward to the weekend, I have no doubt he will then be a shining light for England, then through that will come back and play well for us and then put his name up for another Lions tour.
Bears’ boss Pat Lam said the club have managed to resolve Sinckler’s persistent calf injuries
The Lions will tour South Africa next summer and Sinckler went to New Zealand in 2017
‘It is great to have him on board.’ Bristol will be without star full-back Charles Piutau and centre Henry Purdy for the final, and are waiting on fitness updates on No 8 Nathan Hughes (ribs) and lock Chris Vui (calf).
On the injury front Wasps look set to be without Malakai Fekitoa for next weekend’s Premiership final against Exeter, after he hurt his groin.
Elsewhere new Italy call-up Stephen Varney, the Gloucester scrum-half, has tested positive for coronavirus and has been put into isolation.
The Azzurri face Ireland a week on Saturday in the Six Nations before ending the paused tournament the following week against England.