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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Katie Sands

Kyle Sinckler knocked unconscious as Rugby World Cup final halted for several minutes amid worrying scenes

The Rugby World Cup final saw worrying scenes just minutes into the game between England and South Africa as Kyle Sinckler was knocked unconscious.

Both the English prop and Maro Itoje went in for a tackle on Springbok Makazole Mapimpi just two minutes into the game in Yokohama, with Itoje's arm swinging round and colliding with Sinckler.

The Harlequin then dropped to the floor and lay motionless on the ground as several medics rushed to his aid, resulting in the game being halted for several minutes.

As concerned teammates stood around waiting for an update, TV commentators explained that physios were explaining to Sinckler that he had been knocked out.

Kyle Sinckler falls to the ground after being knocked by Maro Itoje's arm (Getty Images)
Kyle Sinckler lays on the ground motionless (Getty Images)
Kyle Sinckler of England receives treatment (Getty Images)
Sinckler walks from the pitch (Getty Images)

As he moved his legs and came around, this was greeted with cheers by tens of thousands of fans inside the stadium, who applauded when he sat up on the pitch.

After a few minutes down, he managed to walk off the pitch himself, with a permanent England change then made when Dan Coles coming on in the front row. 

Speaking in his post-match press conference after England lost out to the Springboks, Eddie Jones said of Sinckler: "He’s recovering. He’s obviously going through the HIA protocol.

"It’s part of the game. You have 23 guys.

"If you lose someone earlier you have to be able to cover it.

"I don’t think it was a factor in the game."

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