As the Autumn Nations Series looms, England's preparations suffer a setback with Ben Curry, a key back-rower for the Sale Sharks, entangled in a challenging surgery decision. At 27, Curry's persistent hamstring woes might see him back in surgery, risking his participation in the upcoming international fixtures.
Curry's troubles began early this season, forcing his exit after just sixty minutes in the first two matches. With a history of hamstring surgery back in 2023 after a semi-final clash, the issue's resurgence is a serious concern for both club and country. "Not great. Nothing new, but it’s consistently irritating and affecting his preparation," said Alex Sanderson, Sale's director of rugby. Sanderson revealed ongoing discussions about a more sustainable solution than the temporary fixes that have thus far failed to prevent reoccurrences.
"We are in talks about what can be done for a longer-term fix rather than going week to week, which at the moment clearly isn’t working for him."
Sanderson detailed two previous cases handled by specialists: one player pushed through the pain, while another underwent minor surgery, sidelining him for six weeks. For Curry, the proposed 'clean-up' surgery isn't as extensive as his previous operation, but recovery would still sideline him for six weeks, clashing with the November Tests against powerhouses like Australia and New Zealand.
This timing presents a conundrum, as England might prefer Curry to participate in the Autumn Nations Series and delay surgery until December. This would allow him to recover in time for the Six Nations, aligning with national team priorities but potentially conflicting with Sale's interests. "England may want to push him through the internationals, then have the operation and six weeks out over Christmas, and he comes back for the Six Nations. That’s the best thing for them, but the best thing for the club is probably to play a couple of games and get his operation over the Autumn internationals," Sanderson explained.
This issue is further complicated by Curry's Enhanced EPS contract, which grants England managerial precedence over medical decisions, potentially forcing Sale to cede to the national team's needs. With England's injury list growing—Ted Hill, Charlie Ewels, Harry Randall, and George Martin already ruled out—the dilemma over Curry's fitness adds another layer of tension for coach Steve Borthwick as critical matches approach.
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As the Autumn Nations Series looms, England's preparations suffer a setback with Ben Curry, a key back-rower for the Sale Sharks, entangled in a challenging surgery decision. At 27, Curry's persistent hamstring woes might see him back in surgery, risking his participation in the upcoming international fixtures.
Curry's troubles began early this season, forcing his exit after just sixty minutes in the first two matches. With a history of hamstring surgery back in 2023 after a semi-final clash, the issue's resurgence is a serious concern for both club and country. "Not great. Nothing new, but it’s consistently irritating and affecting his preparation," said Alex Sanderson, Sale's director of rugby. Sanderson revealed ongoing discussions about a more sustainable solution than the temporary fixes that have thus far failed to prevent reoccurrences.
"We are in talks about what can be done for a longer-term fix rather than going week to week, which at the moment clearly isn’t working for him."
Sanderson detailed two previous cases handled by specialists: one player pushed through the pain, while another underwent minor surgery, sidelining him for six weeks. For Curry, the proposed 'clean-up' surgery isn't as extensive as his previous operation, but recovery would still sideline him for six weeks, clashing with the November Tests against powerhouses like Australia and New Zealand.
This timing presents a conundrum, as England might prefer Curry to participate in the Autumn Nations Series and delay surgery until December. This would allow him to recover in time for the Six Nations, aligning with national team priorities but potentially conflicting with Sale's interests. "England may want to push him through the internationals, then have the operation and six weeks out over Christmas, and he comes back for the Six Nations. That’s the best thing for them, but the best thing for the club is probably to play a couple of games and get his operation over the Autumn internationals," Sanderson explained.
This issue is further complicated by Curry's Enhanced EPS contract, which grants England managerial precedence over medical decisions, potentially forcing Sale to cede to the national team's needs. With England's injury list growing—Ted Hill, Charlie Ewels, Harry Randall, and George Martin already ruled out—the dilemma over Curry's fitness adds another layer of tension for coach Steve Borthwick as critical matches approach.