Kyle Sinckler is set to miss the 2027 World Cup after agreeing a new two-year contract with Top 14 side Toulon.
RugbyPass reports that the England prop has agreed to extend his stay with the French club. This would effectively ending hopes of a return to the international set-up before the tournament.
Under RFU eligibility rules, players based outside England’s domestic league are not eligible to represent England.
As a result, Sinckler’s decision to remain in France means he will not be available for Steve Borthwick’s squad.
There had been speculation about a potential return to PREM Rugby, with Newcastle Red Bulls and Exeter Chiefs among the clubs linked with the experienced tighthead.
Harlequins had also been mentioned as a possible destination, having made almost 150 appearances for the West London club.
Sinckler first established himself as one of England’s leading tightheads after impressing for Harlequins during the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons.
His performances earned him an England XV selection against the Barbarians before he eventually made his senior debut against South Africa in November 2016.
He was part of England’s 2017 Six Nations-winning side and was selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand later that year.
Despite a controversial period during the 2019 Six Nations, Sinckler retained his place in England’s World Cup squad.
He started all but one of their matches and scored his first Test try against Australia.
Unfortunately, he suffered a concussion early in the final against South Africa.
The prop went on to win the 2020 Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup before reaching 50 England caps against Wales in 2022.
He was also called into the Lions squad in 2021 as a replacement after initially missing out on selection.
Had Sinckler returned to England, he would have faced stiff competition for the tighthead role from Joe Heyes, Will Stuart and Asher Opoku-Fordjour.
At 33, a return to the international set-up was never guaranteed, particularly with Heyes and Opoku-Fordjour continuing to develop.
His new Toulon deal now appears to have closed the door on a potential England comeback, with Sinckler likely to finish his career in France.
