RugbyPass revealed last week that Kyle Sinckler will not be making a return to the Gallagher Premiership next season, with the England prop instead set to see out the final year of his contract at French heavyweights Toulon.
The former Harlequins and Bristol Bears tighthead, who has won 69 England caps and toured with the British & Irish Lions, had been strongly linked with a move back across the Channel as he targets a route into Steve Borthwick’s plans ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
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However, Toulon head coach Pierre Mignoni has moved quickly to shut down any speculation — and even hinted that Sinckler’s stay in France could extend beyond next season.
“Everything is clear with him, there’s no debate. He’ll stay here, at least for next season,” Mignoni confirmed.
That decision doesn’t necessarily end Sinckler’s international ambitions, though. Sinckler could still put himself firmly in contention for England’s 2027 World Cup squad if he returns to the Premiership in time for the 2027/28 season.
RUCK understands the 32-year-old remains highly motivated to pull on the England jersey again, and there would be no shortage of Premiership clubs ready to offer him a deal should he decide to come home.
Sinckler has been open about his determination to use setbacks as fuel, insisting his journey can inspire others.
“I want to use my mistakes and my journey to inspire others,” he said. “This is just my story and there are people in a far worse position than me. But if they can look at me and see that I have had a setback, but he has set X, Y and Z goals and then achieved it, that is so inspiring.
“I will be at the World Cup in 2027, 100 per cent.
“They are big aims and big goals, but that’s what I did as a kid from South London when I was telling people I would play for England and they thought I was talking rubbish. But to do that I need to go away, work on my game and have a better attitude.”
With Toulon keeping hold of him for now, Sinckler’s next move could prove crucial — but the fire to complete one final England chapter is clearly still burning.
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Who has the most foreign-born players? 2026 Six Nations
The Six Nations has always been rooted in tradition — but in the modern era, international squads are increasingly shaped by migration, ancestry, and residency eligibility.
In 2026, foreign-born players remain a major part of the championship picture, although the overall numbers have fallen sharply compared to recent years.
Scotland — 14 foreign-born players (35%)
Homegrown: 26/40 (65%)
Foreign-born: 14/40 (35%)
Scotland once again lead the Six Nations for overseas-born representation.
Full list (Scotland)
Nathan McBeth — South Africa (Grandparent)
Pierre Schoeman — South Africa (Residency, 2021)
Ewan Ashman — Canada (Parent)
Elliot Millar Mills — England (Parent)
Josh Bayliss — England (Grandparent)
Jack Dempsey — Australia (Grandparent)
Ben White — England (Grandparent)
Fergus Burke — New Zealand (Grandparent)
Tom Jordan — New Zealand (Residency, 2024)
Rory Hutchinson — England (Grandparent)
Sione Tuipulotu — Australia (Grandparent)
Kyle Rowe — England (Cumulative Residency)
Kyle Steyn — South Africa (Parent)
Duhan van der Merwe — South Africa (Residency, 2020)
Wales — 9 foreign-born players (23.6%)
Homegrown: 29/38 (76.3%)
Foreign-born: 9/38 (23.6%)
Wales sit mid-table, with most foreign-born players coming through English development pathways or overseas heritage.
Full list (Wales)
Tomas Francis — England (Grandparent)
Archie Griffin — Australia (Parent)
Ben Carter — England (Residency, 2004)
Freddie Thomas — England (Grandparent)
Olly Cracknell — England (Grandparent)
Josh MacLeod — Monaco (Residency, 2004)
Gabriel Hamer-Webb — England (Parent)
Ellis Mee — England (Parent)
Blair Murray — New Zealand (Parent)
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