Lions hopeful grabs a brace in Sale Sharks win at Harlequins

Tom Curry staked a claim for this summer’s Lions tour with a powerful carrying and try-scoring display in Sale Sharks’ impressive 43-29 bonus-point win against Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop.

The 26-year-old flanker grabbed a brace as Alex Sanderson’s visitors climbed into the Premiership’s top four and dealt Quins’ own title aspirations what could prove a terminal blow.

This time last year Curry was recovering from hip surgery which was required to keep his future club and international ambitions alive.

Now, having returned with typical determination, strength and aggression in the autumn and enjoyed a fine Six Nations, the England man hopes to persuade Lions boss Andy Farrell he deserves a place on the plane to Australia.

Curry, part of the courageous touring party to New Zealand in 2021, was a cornerstone upon which Sharks built a title-boosting victory in West London.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Harlequins

29 - 43

Full-time

Sale

All Stats and Data

Sharks’ scrum-half Raffi Quirke came off the bench for his first appearance since January and Quins had another England man, Cadan Murley, back in their side.

Sadly, for him and his team-mates, they were outfought and outplayed by a hungry Sharks side which carved out a 26-15 half-time lead and had the try bonus point firmly wrapped up.

Quins had been fastest out the blocks and led 10-0 inside just eight minutes courtesy of a Marcus Smith penalty and lock Jack Kenningham shrugging off a tackler and charging across the line having taken Alex Dombrandt’s pass in his stride.

Sale responded with real vigour and their first sight of the line led to hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie finishing off a strong forward drive to reach out across the line.

Sharks had their tails up and soon had their noses in front. A ferocious carry through the centre of the Quins defence by prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour took six defenders with him. And Tom Wood put the icing on the move by taking George Ford’s pass to crash over the line in typical fashion.

Gus Warr converted but Quins showed their character and hit back straight away with a stunning, flowing move down the left.

Luke Northmore’s long pass wide sparked it off and Tyrone Green applied the accelerator before feeding the supporting Murley to race over to mark his return from the foot injury sustained in the Six Nations.

Powerful Opoku-Fordjour somehow forced his way across for a third Sharks try from another fine move and England star Curry celebrated his second try, crashing over from close range.

Sharks had taken control within 14 minutes of the second half as Quins began to melt knowing they had little answer to the dynamism of their opponents. Lock Jonny Hill reached over the line for a try and number eight Jean-Luc du Preez forced his way over for another.

Yet, Quins are nothing but resilient and when first Cameron Anderson crossed followed by a storming run from replacement hooker Nathan Jibulu down the left wing, it seemed the game was back on a knife edge with four minutes remaining.

However, a loose pass from Tom Waghorn, with Quins trying to run from inside their own 22, fell to Tom Roebuck who scooped it up and strolled over to seal a Sharks win.