Tom Curry is out of contention for a place in Sale’s Premiership play-off qualifying decider at Saracens on Saturday. This comes as doubts are growing again over his availability for the summer tour of England.
The 25-year-old flanker has had major hip surgery since last fall’s World Cup and has been sidelined.
He was initially expected to miss the domestic season, but his quick recovery has raised his and his club’s hopes of returning in north London for a repeat of last year’s league final, which Sale must win. Finishing in the top four.
But when asked for an update on Curry’s availability, his director of rugby Alex Sanderson said: ‘I’ll have to call. No, he (not fit to play). ‘He’s not far, but unfortunately he doesn’t get there.
‘We haven’t given him enough exposure to rugby for him to feel confident. He is moving incredibly well and has had a week of pre-season. He was getting washed up and that was what he wanted to do. He came in this morning and he said he wasn’t feeling well so I just said “Oh, you asked for it”! He’s almost there and if we get a chance to play in the semi-finals we’ll give him a call. He will have a good chance.’
Tom Curry has been ruled out of the race for a play-off qualifying spot against Saracens.
Curry has not played since the World Cup after undergoing major hip surgery in the aftermath.
Sanderson explained how optimism that Sale captain Ben Curry’s twin brother Tom would be ready to face champions Saracens gave way to a degree of realism late last week.
‘We spoke on Wednesday night and he was moving really well and we were both really excited,’ he said. ”How good is this? “You’re back, my friend.”
‘It was 5 o’clock last Wednesday night. But at 7:30 I received a text saying, “Can we have coffee?” It was a proper, emotionless conversation. What’s best for Tom Curry?
‘I think he probably would have done that (returned to the game) 18 months ago, before the hamstrings kept pulling and all the problems with the pelvis and hips. We think this is growth in terms of his maturity, doing the right thing for him, making sure he’s not playing under par and allowing him to spend a lot more time in it rather than wearing himself out.’
When Sanderson met Currie and had a reasonable conversation, he raised the question of whether the acclaimed openside would travel to Japan and New Zealand with England this summer. It’s not resolved yet, but now the opportunities are dwindling and an extended break may be seen as the logical course of action.
Asked if Sale were in talks with Red Rose management, Sanderson added: ‘We are from a medical perspective, but not yet from a rugby and coaching perspective. We spoke about this topic at Gail’s in Knutsford last Thursday and Curry said, “Let’s focus on preparing for the semi-finals and let’s talk about the summer.” He is fully committed to everything and doesn’t want to focus too far.’
Meanwhile, Ollie Sleightholme has been hailed as the best finisher in the Gallagher Premiership and has been offered his first senior England call-up after helping Northampton reach a home semi-final.
Sleightholme scored a hat-trick as Saints demolished Gloucester 90-0 last Saturday, taking him to 14 league tries for the season and extending his lead as the division’s leading scorer.
Sale Sharks manager Alex Sanderson said Curry would have a ‘big chance’ of playing if given the opportunity to reach the semi-finals.
The 24-year-old’s stunning form means he could feature in England’s summer games against Japan and New Zealand, according to Northampton attack coach Sam Bestie.
‘I think he’s the best finisher in the league and he’s doing a lot of good things consistently. I hope he gets a good opportunity (in England) and I know his name is being mentioned,’ Vesty said.
‘There are some fantastic wingers in England but Ollie’s name should be in that group. I hope he nods. He has shown a really good consistent level.
‘If you make room for Ollie, you know he will do everything else. Ollie is fantastic and a real pleasure to coach. This year he has come into such a good spot. He has worked hard to get more involved in the game and has really improved.
‘He’s found more ways to get the ball and if you do that and you’re as fast and strong as he is, he’ll score.’
Ollie Sleightholme has been tipped for his first senior England call-up after helping Northampton Saints reach a home semi-final.
Sleightholme’s father Jon was a popular player for Northampton in the 1990s and won 12 England caps.
National coach Steve Borthwick has lined up another Northampton player in Tommy Freeman, Exeter great Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and the experienced Elliot Daly as wing options for the Six Nations. But Sleightholme are now working hard to earn their first senior call-up. He was part of the England A squad against Portugal in February but did not play.
With a home play-off spot already secured, Northampton will rotate their squad for ‘Super Saturday’ when they visit Bath on the final day of the regular Premiership season.
Saracens have confirmed the long-awaited transfers of England stars Marco and Billy Vunipola, who are expected to join French side Montpellier.
Another former England international, Jonny May, of the Gloucester wing, is also leaving the Premier League.
