'Cat is out of the bag' over Ben Curry after 'uphill battle': Sanderson

Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson believes Ben Curry’s excellence as a rugby player is no longer a “secret” following the flanker’s impressive displays for England in the Guinness Six Nations championship.

Ben has always been in the international shadow of twin brother Tom who also had an outstanding Six Nations with his sibling making significant impacts from the replacement bench, winning crucial turn overs an ensuring England’s physicality remained high, particularly in the record win over Wales in Cardiff.

Tom and Ben both won five breakdown turnovers in the Championship to finish joint-second on the table behind Scotland’s Jamie Ritchie. The Currys also made a combined 93 tackles with Ben starting against Ireland and Wales and coming on as a replacement in the games with France, Scotland and Italy.

While Tom, who is managing a hip injury that required an operation last year, is seen as a certainty for a second British and Irish Lions tour this summer to Australia, Ben was facing an uphill battle to make the trip given the number of back-row forwards available to Steve Borthwick, the England head coach. However, Ben has proved his worth as a starter or impact replacement putting himself into the frame for a Lions tour place.

Sanderson, who has to give his England players who were involved in 80 per cent of match involvements a week off in the next three, is having to juggle those demands as he prepares to take on Newcastle Falcons on Friday night. To prepare his players for a return to Gallagher Premiership action and the looming Investec Champions Cup clash with Toulouse, the Sale players in camp with England were given their personal schedules for the next three weeks by a member of the club’s staff two weeks ago.

Sanderson said: “Everyone understands the levels Tom can get to but the wider rugby world that doesn’t watch the Premiership hasn’t seen Ben and the form he is in week in, week out and now the cat is out of the bag.

“I am happiest for Ben because it has been an uphill battle to get into the England team and step out from the shadow and he has clearly done it. That is a credit to him and how he has applied himself. He is playing free, what is in front of him and not over thinking the things other people require of him. It’s great see and it gives you a warm feeling to see them both playing together. Ben said the win over France was one of his best rugby memories ever.

“Tom showed he could play 80 minutes and he has reported he is feeling good and trained well and he is on fire with no issue with his hips. We are going as strong as we can (against Newcastle) while making sure we give the players the mandatory rest.”

Sanderson also believes the second-half cameo by George Ford against Wales showed why he deserves to be considered for the Lions tour. “I honestly think that George, in the next 12 games of the season, will prove his worth and could make a statement for the Lions for those that are in the know. More realistically, he can force his way back into that England team.”