5 Things to Know About Lions call-up Kyle Sinckler, including bizarre morning routine

Sinckler received an invitation from Warren Gatland on Sunday morning, following an injury to the Irishman.

There’s no question that the powerhouse will be in and around the Test team.

Here are five things you might not know about the Bristol Bears prop...

The tighthead prop states that it was his mother, Donna, who instigated his rugby career. According to Sinckler, he was a keen footballer though his physical nature resulted in him dropping the sport. After his mother, who works in the police, became aware of Kyle's physicality on the football pitch, she took him to local rugby union side Battersea Ironsides in Earlsfield, a long-established club, with a growing youth and junior section.

At 13, Sinckler and some of his friends approached a PE teacher, Anastacia Long, to ask if she would help them set up a club. For the first few years, Graveney school had only one set of rugby kits, which were circulated between players across the school aged from 11 to 18. Lacking its own pitch, all matches were away games and training took place in local parks or at Old Rutlishians rugby club, which allowed them to play for free. Find out more here.

"I have never met my dad and he has never tried to contact me. I always asked myself a lot of questions: was I not good enough for him? I could walk past my dad in the street tomorrow and I wouldn’t know what he looks like. But you know what, I’m cool with that now. My mum would work 12-hour shifts for the police and take me to rugby after no sleep. I’m so lucky to have that kind of parent. I don’t have any grudges any more. Dealing with that helped me a huge amount."

In July 2017, Sinckler was arrested in Central Auckland, during a night out with his teammates on the conclusion of the British and Irish Lions' tour to New Zealand. According to reports, Sinckler was involved in a "minor incident" whilst celebrating the Lions' 15–15 draw against New Zealand. He was placed under arrest though was not prosecuted; police officers escorted Sinckler back to his hotel shortly after the incident. The tighthead-prop openly apologised for his actions

The England prop revealed an odd morning habit during his recent chat with former Harlequins teammate Mike Brown for the Mail Online.

BROWN: Do you still have two tablespoons of cider vinegar every morning?

SINCKLER: Yeah! A bit of alkaline to wake you up!