Every rugby club has its unique challenges for newcomers. For Nicky Smith and Tomas Francis, the newly signed props at Sale, differentiating between the Curry twins tops the list.
During their training sessions at Carrington, the two Welsh internationals have been discussing their mix-ups. Tomas Francis shared a light-hearted moment, saying,
"I was doing well until today, but Tom has cut his hair and he looks more like Ben now which threw me."
Nicky Smith had a similar experience, which he recounted with a chuckle:
"I sat down next to Ben, but I thought it was Tom. 'How was the extra fitness today?' I asked him. 'Mate, that’s my brother,' he replied. I apologised. To be fair to him he did laugh."
The duo's reunion at Sale came as a surprise. Smith decided to leave Leicester, and Francis ended his tenure in France’s Pro D2 to move closer to his native Yorkshire. They see Sale not only as a potential Premiership play-off contender but also a platform to prepare for the next World Cup with Wales.
Smith was excited about the reconnection with Francis, and when he received the news, he couldn't believe it. He recalled their conversation. "I signed and then when it got announced he texted me saying: 'I’ve signed,'" shared Smith. This reunion was sweetened by the presence of Luke Cowan-Dickie, another old teammate, making their front row one to watch.
Last season, Sale struggled with depth in the front row, but with the addition of Smith and Francis, they look robust. “We sat down in the front row meeting the other day and you look round and see the quality there,” said Smith, optimistic about the depth they now possess in this vital area.
Francis, easing back into the Premiership pace, noted the thoughtful player management at Sale. "Pro D2 is a little different to the Premiership, and I’ll probably have to get back up to speed. But I’ll be given time to get used to it and be looked after well here which will get the best out of me for Sale and Wales,” he explained.
Despite previously stepping away from international play to focus on family, Francis's passion was reignited after discussions about the team's future. "I always left it open with Wales that if they needed me I’d be available. I spoke to Steve Tandy about what he was building and I found I still had that itch," he admitted.
For Smith, the focus is clear. He aims for his third World Cup with Wales, driven by the need to improve on recent performances. “The prospect of the World Cup is really exciting. We’ve got a great chance of getting out of the group, but we’ve got to be better than we have been,” Smith stressed.
With a strengthened squad, especially in the forward line featuring England veteran Courtney Lawes and others, Sale is set to leave last season’s disappointments behind and reclaim their competitive edge. The new additions not only bring experience but also a renewed hope for a club aiming to bite back this season.
