Lam: I understand Sinckler decision

By PAUL REES

Pat Lam understands Kyle Sinckler's decision to turn his back on England and join the exodus to France next season.

The 68-cap tight-head will be packing down for Toulon, joined in the south of France by another member of England's World Cup squad, Northampton flanker and captain Lewis Ludlam. Another colleague in France, lock Dave Ribbans, joined the Top 14 club from the Saints after the tournament.

“They are two good signings who will complete our forward pack for many years,” said Toulon president Bernard Lemaitre. “They fit the profiles we're looking for in our recruitment. We're trying to have higher expectations on mentality, behaviour and lifestyle of players like their impressive compatriot Dave Ribbans.”

Lam, Bristol's director of rugby, praised Sinckler, below, who turned 31 yesterday, for his reaction after being left out of England's Six Nations squad, something that may have triggered the Lions' prop's decision to move decision to move.

“I had a long chat with Kyle after the World Cup,” said Lam. “He said a lot of words and he has delivered on them. He wanted to be part of the Six Nations, but used the break in the Premiership well and was superb against Northampton last week.

“He is enjoying his rugby because he is playing well. He leads the forwards group and he is focused on doing well for us.

“I want to keep all our best players but it is a professional sport and everyone has options. I was around when the game moved on from amateurism and suddenly you had decisions to make with family always an important factor.”

Lam has boosted his tighthead options by signing Lovejoy Chawatama. The 31-year old is following the path trodden by Sinckler four years ago and joining in the summer from Harlequins.

There will be a full team of England internationals playing in France next season with Owen Farrell signing for Racing 92, Courtney Lawes moving to Brive and the Vunipola brothers leaving Saracens for destinations yet to be confirmed.

The total is set to rise to 19 and under the agreement between Twickenham and Premiership Rugby, none will be available to England head coach Steve Borthwick other than under an exceptional circumstance.

It is possible to form an ‘England' team from that number with Henry Arundell, Jack Nowell, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell and Dan Robson making up the back division.

At forward, Mako Vunipola, Jack Singleton and Sinckler would make up the front row, packing in front of Ribbans and Lawes with Ludlam, Jack Willis and Billy Vunipola forming the back row.

Harry Williams, Kieran Brookes, Brad Shields and Sam Simmonds would be bench options along with the uncapped Joe Simmonds and Marcus Watson while England internationals based elsewhere overseas include scrum-half Jack Maunder at Melbourne Rebels and outside-half Jacob Umaga at Benetton Treviso.

The rising number of players leaving for France following the collapse of three Premiership clubs and a tightening of budgets have prompted calls for the overseas rule to be abandoned, but it is set to be a part of a new agreement between Twickenham and the top-flight clubs.