England flanker Tom Curry 'devastated' by injury, bad news for Steve Borthwick

Wednesday, 11 January 2023 at 19:56

byRugby Rucker

Tom Curry, an England back rower, is set to miss their Six Nations opener against Scotland due to a hamstring strain sustained during a match with Sale against Harlequins on Sunday.

A devastated looking Curry left the field in the 16th minute of the match after being tackled by prop Wilco Louw. Sale's Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson stated that even a low-grade hamstring injury.

Even without Tom for most of the game, Sale cemented their top-two spot in the Premiership with a hard-fought 24-16 bonus point win at third-placed Harlequins.

“It's positive from a rugby supporter’s point of view,” reckoned Sanderson when asked at his Wednesday morning media briefing for the latest Sale update in the extent of the Curry injury. “Obviously, I’d rather him not be injured.

“We thought 3C hamstring tear, but it is a 2C hamstring tear so it wasn’t as bad as originally thought. We got him scanned, got his assessed, got him re-assessed.

“So a 3C would have been six to eight weeks (out) and he is looking to play at the back end of the Six Nations. With it being a 2C and with Tom being very diligent in his rehab, it means he could be back for Wales if not the second game (against Italy on February 12).

"But certainly Wales, so that is a real positive for England and for all of us because I want England to do well.”

Tom Curry facts:

Curry played for Crewe & Nantwich in the early stages of his amateur career where he was coached by his father as well as local cult hero Bobby Walsh

He, along with his twin brother Ben, is the son of Bishop Heber High School Head Teacher David Curry and nephew of former England hooker John Olver

It is true that the brothers had a trial at Manchester City, who the twins support, but that was scuppered by Tom scoring a spectacular own goal. Probably for the best in the end

The only way you can tell Tom and Ben apart is by their hair. Tom has his styled to the right while Ben has his swept to the left.

The duo played for Sale FC in National 2 League North before making their debut for Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership

Steve Borthwick's likely England XV

Back-three:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
14. Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish)
11. Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers)

Freddie Steward of England is tackled by Ardie Savea of New Zealand during the Autumn International Series match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham, London on 19 November 2022 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)

Centres:

13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath)

Try Celebrations for Henry Slade of England as he goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations International Series match between England and South Africa at Twickenham, London on 26 November 2022 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

Halfbacks:

10. Owen Farrell (Saracens)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)

When the Saracens fly-half, then 21, had come under fire for his poor form back in 2012, he outperformed the usually imperious Nick Evans, notching six penalties from six attempts to help Sarries overcome Quins.

Owen Farrell of England takes a penalty kick during the Autumn International Series match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham, London on 19 November 2022 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)

Borthwick, who was Sarries captain during the game, told The Rugby Paper: “Owen Farrell is one of the toughest men I know. He’s a fierce competitor and as strong as they come in terms of mental resolve.

“People will say what they want to say but I feel privileged to take the field with this guy.

“He’s a phenomenal leader and the way he handled the game against Harlequins was tactically brilliant. It was just another measure of the bloke.”

Front-row:

1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears) - Captain
2. George McGuigan (Gloucester)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)

Ellis Genge of England Rugby is tackled by Will Rowlands of Wales during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Second-row:

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

Woodward wants Maro Itoje back in the second-row

Back-row:

6. Ben Earl (Saracens)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)

Ben Earl of Saracens applauds supporters the Gallagher Premiership match between Saracens and London Irish at The StoneX Stadium, Hendon, London on November 6 2021. - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK

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