Kyle Sinckler was given a two-week ban for disrespecting the authority of a game official when Bristol’s Premier League win over Exeter; England prop misses Six Nations opener against Scotland on 6 February
Last updated: 13/01/21 11:40 am
Kyle Sinckler will miss Scotland ‘s Calcutta Cup victory
Kyle Sinckler will miss England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland after being hit by a two-week ban for disrespecting the official of the match.
Sinckler appeared before an independent online disciplinary panel after being called for what happened in Bristol’s Premier League victory over Exeter on Saturday.
The 27-year-old Bears prop told referee Karl Dickson “are you f ****** pregnant?” after the official ruling there was no bad play in tack with English colleague Luke Cowan-Dickie.
Sinckler and Dickson were Harlequins’ teammates before the latter began to settle.
Sinckler denied the allegation but it was upheld. He is free to play again on February 9, leaving him available for England ‘s second Six Nations match against Italy at Twickenham.
He apologized for the uprising immediately after the game, admitting that he was “not the example I want to set”.
“While Kyle Sinckler admitted that he was using false language at the referee’s, he did not accept the behavior that deserved a red card,” the independent disciplinary panel said.
“The panel saw the live recordings of the event and were satisfied that its shouting ‘are you f ****** heavy’ was aggressive and directed to the referee.”
Want to apologize for my comments today. Not the example I want to set. Heat the stuff a minute. It will make a conscious effort for improvement. My bad 👊
– Kyle Sinckler (@KyleSinckler) January 9, 2021
It was also concluded at the hearing that Dickson had already explained to Sinckler that he thought Cowan-Dickie had tried to put his arms into the tack, at which point he swore a tight head. Bristol at the referee.
“The honest player was a testament to why he did that and regretted what he did,” the panel said.
“The panel found that in contempt of the referee’s authority, he was violating the core value of rugby – respect for match officials – and deserved a red card.
“The panel concluded that in all cases it was a low entry point with no relevant discount. The sanctions are a two-week ban.”
France calls on England, Ireland to make security guarantees
France are expected to play England at Twickenham on March 13
The French government wants a guarantee of safety from England and Ireland before allowing their national side to visit those countries in the Six Nations.
The opening match of the Championship against Italy in Rome on February 6 was agreed by Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu.
French authorities are concerned about the high number of Covid-19 cases in the UK and Ireland and have already banned their clubs from taking part in a European competition this month.
The Six Nations held talks in Paris on Tuesday and talks will continue as organizers try to convince the government that there are plenty of coronavirus protocols in place.
It is very likely that the tournament would go ahead without France, who will play Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on 14 February and England at Twickenham on 13 March.
“We’ll hold the first game,” Maracineanu said. “On the other hand, against Ireland and England we need to get the necessary commitments from those countries.
“There needs to be proof that the virus framework of the other countries respects the same warning requirements. We expect the same from the other teams.”