Freak injury rules Ben Curry out of final Lions 'trial'

Sale flanker Ben Curry will miss Friday night’s final British and Irish Lions ‘trial’ against Saracens with a freak “scratch and sniff” injury.

Curry, who enjoyed an outstanding Six Nations for England to play himself into contention for the tour, was targeting a last opportunity to turn Andy Farrell’s head with his club before the Lions head coach names his squad on May 8.

But after sitting out last weekend’s victory at Harlequins because of an unusual hamstring problem, he has been unable to shake it off in time for the play-off shoot-out at the Salford Community Stadium.

“It’s a weird one,” said Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson. “It’s a bit of a scratch and sniff injury. I’ve not heard of it before.

“There’s nothing torn, but there’s a bit of metal in his leg, which is irritating the muscle. It’s an irritation around the suture site of an old operation where he had the stitches.

“There’s little chance of him tearing the muscle, but it’s really uncomfortable for him.

“He’s running around, which suggests in another week it will have sorted itself out. We have given him as long as we could, but he won’t make this game.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

3

Draws

0

Wins

2

Average Points scored

21

29

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

80%

A clutch of potential Lions tourists will be involved, including captaincy favourite Maro Itoje.

Sale will have Ben’s twin Tom Curry in their line-up plus Luke Cowan-Dickie, the Test starting hooker against South Africa in 2021, who Sanderson is tipping for another tour.

“He’s playing the best rugby of his life,” said Sanderson.

“He’s settled up north, he’s happy in his private life, we’ve got his injury right. He’s in the last trimester of his career. He’s taking every opportunity and leaving nothing to chance.

“This could be his opportunity with the Lions. I’ve talked to him about it a little bit. He wants it. He wants it bad.”