Kyle Sinckler has had to feel his way into this Rugby World Cup, after suffering a chest injury on the eve of the tournament.
The Bristol prop had enjoyed his most niggle-free pre-season ever, only to pick up a worrying issue in the final preparations.
He was able to shake off the problem just in time to make England’s 33-man squad but has admitted it had been touch and go.
England look to have taken a shrewd, measured approach to Sinckler’s workload in the tournament, allowing him the chance to feature and force his way back to full sharpness while also not throwing too much his way.
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Veteran Leicester tight-head Dan Cole started against Samoa, giving way to Sinckler almost 10 minutes into the second half in Lille on Saturday.
Sunday’s quarter-final might just be the time when Sinckler can show he is back to his fully unencumbered best. And England could well do with his all-court abilities for this do-or-die clash. Sinckler’s fine ball-handling skills specifically could weigh heavily in selection calls this week.
The 30-year-old adds an important and subtle extra dimension to England’s attacking structure, with his ability to disguise the destination of his passes. He can deftly switch between a tip to a forward team-mate on the gainline, or a drag-back to a playmaker in the pocket.
Such variety adds an important layer to what remains England’s best attacking structure. England will surely look to start Sunday’s last-eight battle with the kind of ferocity and intensity that punctuated the opening of their fine pool-stage win over Argentina.
Ellis Genge and Jamie George will doubtless be the other front-row personnel charged with setting an uncompromising tone from the off in Marseille.