'Should be physically better than he was before': Sale update on Curry twins

Tom Curry could return to the Sale Sharks side for Friday night’s trip to Gloucester after recovering from the calf injury that he suffered in the warm-up before England’s shock Six Nations defeat at the beginning of March.

The England and British & Irish Lions back-row suffered a grade three tear, and should he come through the Sharks’ final four games of the season, he will play in England’s inaugural Nations Championship games against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina.

A potential sabbatical for the summer was mooted for him before the Six Nations, but Sanderson says that now it won’t be happening, according to Sharks boss Alex Sanderson.

“My understanding, from a medical point of view, was if Tom played the season through, as was expected, with a number of games that he had, this question of a sabbatical, or what’s best for him medically, would have reared its head and would have had the conversation, given the fact he’s had so many games out, and it’s a three-game tour.

“He’s going to be really, really good shape. His total minutes isn’t really an issue,” he told RugbyPass.

Meanwhile, the England physios have been visiting the Sharks this week to check on the progress of flanker Ben Curry after his season-ending hamstring operation.

“The England physios have been in to see him. So far, so good. Like, really good. The operation to this point has been a success, and he is working really hard and is world-class in some of his metrics.

“And his upper body, training that he’s been doing, international metrics. He should be physically better than he was before, and right now, everything looks really good for him to kick on next season,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sanderson says that winger Aaron Reed, full-backs Tom Carpenter and Luke James are back in full training while England scrum-half Raffi Quirke is close to making his return from injury.

James, who has scored four tries in six games this season, is fit again after a neck injury, while Sanderson has confirmed that Rob Du Preez has played his last game for the club with a hamstring injury.

“We thought we’d get some cavalry back these last four games. Luke’s absolutely class, because he’s been training the last couple of weeks, some of his touches and stuff have always been class.

“We just can’t keep him on the field, but he has looked wickedly sharp. Rob’s not going to be back playing as was insinuated a couple of weeks ago.

“It’s a real shame because you want to finish on the high, don’t you. The last game he played with his brother, Dan, was a big quarter-final. Although the result wasn’t good, at least the stage was fitting.”