England prop Kyle Sinckler has been called up to the British & Irish Lions squad to replace the injured Andrew Porter.
The 28-year-old Sinckler featured on the 2017 Lions Tour to New Zealand, being named on the bench in all three Tests.
However, he missed out on the initial selection for the 2021 squad, with coach Warren Gatland picking Ireland pair Tadhg Furlong and Porter, along with Scotland’s Zander Fagerson, as his three tighthead props.
On Friday, Porter picked up a toe injury while in action for Leinster and has been ruled out as a result.
And Gatland has called on the services of Sinckler, noting how impressed he has been with the Englishman’s form since his omission.
“It’s really bad luck for Andrew and we send him our very best wishes for a quick and successful rehab,” said Gatland.
“Andrew is a young man with a big future ahead of him and I’m sure he’ll be in contention again in four years’ time.
“As always in rugby, when there’s an injury, there’s an opportunity for someone else. I have been very pleased to see the way Kyle has responded to initially being left out of the touring party.
“He’s showed some excellent form of late and I hope he continues to stick two fingers up to me about leaving him out in the first place.”
Sinckler started four of England’s five games in the 2021 Guinness Six Nations, while he was also a key part of the team that won the 2020 Championship, as well as the Autumn Nations Cup.
