Alex Sanderson hints at Roebuck repeat; Curry back for Sale finale

Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson says that he will welcome back England star Tom Curry and hooker Nathan Jibulu for their final game of the season when Bristol Bears visit the North West on Saturday afternoon.

England flanker Curry, who has only played 41 minutes against Leicester Tigers since getting injured during the Six Nations, has passed the return-to-play protocols following a setback at a recent England alignment camp.

While Jibulu has served the six-week suspension that was imposed after he admitted biting Harlequins prop Will Hobson in the Sharks’ Champions Cup last-16 win at the Twickenham Stoop on April 4th.

The Sharks will be looking to end a disappointing season that has only seen them win four times in the Gallagher PREM against the Bears, who were knocked out of top four contention last weekend.

“We’ve got a few lads coming back into the squad. Jibulu is back, Tom Curry is back, and Luke James is back. That bolsters the squad up, whether they’re starting or on the bench. It’s a bit more experience there and a bit more bang,” said Sanderson.

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Sanderson has also hinted that England winger Tom Roebuck, who made his first career appearance at outside centre and scored a try in the 45-42 defeat against Newcastle Red Bulls last weekend, could play there again.

“He’s big and physical and has obviously got speed. He is good in the air, but has now got to a stage where he’s very comfortable in the wide channels at winger, and moving one in,” he said.

“Tom’s still able to make those reads, and he’s got the foot speed to be able to go and push out the back. turn and burn and catch people on those long bridge balls. So he’s got all the requisites, and he’s smart enough to be able to adapt to that position.

“We were forced into it, I might add, with Rob Du Preez being out, Marius Louw being out, and sort of looking at the squad that we had last week. We thought this was the best fit. I was really happy with how we went.

“I thought he was quite happy with the number of touches gotten the ball as well. So, it could well be that he’ll play there again.”