Kyle Sinckler keen to experience Murrayfield hostility as England face Scotland

Kyle Sinckler is eager to feel the hostility awaiting England at Murrayfield on Saturday after a year spent playing in empty stadiums because of the coronavirus pandemic.

England open their Guinness Six Nations with a fixture that is ripe for an upset as Scotland aim to continue their resurgence under Gregor Townsend.

The Scots have won two of the last four meetings and also fought out a stunning 38-38 draw in 2019, while clashes in Edinburgh in the game’s oldest international rivalry have frequently gone down to the wire.

It has been the graveyard of English ambition in the past and even though he is often the main target for abuse from opposition supporters, Sinckler will relish the febrile atmosphere having spent two campaigns performing behind closed doors.

“Murrayfield is one of the toughest places to go. One because of how hostile it is – they’re going to have fans back there – and two because of the rivalry between England and Scotland,” the Bristol prop said.

“We have been to Murrayfield a few times and it has been very, very hostile. I remember coming off the bus once or twice and the fans are giving it to you straight away and chucking certain things.

“Emotions from the fans overboil sometimes, but for me it just shows how much it means to people and the power of sport.

“I love the hostility, it just makes everything a lot better in terms of the experience and it’s definitely a lot better than playing in front of no fans. The more the better!

“You are always grateful for and appreciate the fans and none more so now because of the experience we had over the last 18 months when we were playing in these big stadiums without supporters.

“You’ve got the reference point of what a Millennium Stadium is like with a