"Grade 3" - Tom Curry suffers another significant injury setback
Rugby leagueTuesday, 17 March 2026 at 19:05
Sale Sharks have confirmed that England flanker Tom Curry has stood down from rugby with immediate effect, with Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson outlining the reasoning behind the decision.
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Speaking on the situation, Sanderson said:
“Tom has taken the decision to stand down from playing with immediate effect. This has not been an easy decision, but it is absolutely the right one for his long-term health and wellbeing.”
He added:
“He’s given everything to Sale and to England, and at this moment in time the priority is making sure he’s in the best place physically and mentally.”
Sanderson also emphasised the club’s support:
“We will support him fully through this period. There’s no pressure on timelines — it’s about doing what’s right for Tom.
“There’s no set timeframe for Tom. The focus is entirely on his health and making sure that, if and when he comes back, he’s ready.”
Injury history a growing concern
Curry’s decision follows a difficult spell with injuries that have increasingly disrupted his career (see also: Tom Curry injury timeline and return updates):
- Hip injury (2022–2023):
A serious hip issue required surgery and sidelined him for an extended period, raising concerns about long-term durability (read more: England injury crisis ahead of Six Nations). - Recurring hamstring problems:
Persistent soft-tissue injuries have limited his ability to build sustained match fitness (related: Premiership stars struggling with workload demands). - Concussion protocols:
Like many back-row forwards, Curry has had spells out following head injury assessments (feature: Player welfare and concussion in rugby union). - Recent setbacks (2024–2025):
Despite returning to action, he has struggled to maintain continuity due to ongoing physical issues (analysis: Can Curry return to peak form?).
Mail Online brutally ranks England’s FIVE worst performers in the Six Nations
red plenty of scrutiny as performances fluctuated throughout the tournament.
Following the championship, Mail Online released its player ratings, with only five England players receiving a score below 5/10.
Several of those low ratings were influenced by injuries, limited appearances, or difficult matches against strong opposition. Below is a closer look at those players — alongside RUCK’s own verdict on their tournaments.
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Tom Curry – 4/10
Mail Online:
"Played very well on last summer’s Lions tour despite nursing a serious wrist injury. It all caught up with him in this year’s championship. Nowhere near his best, in and out of the side, and then suffered a calf problem in the warm-up to the Italy game. Like Itoje, he also badly, badly needs a rest."
"Played very well on last summer’s Lions tour despite nursing a serious wrist injury. It all caught up with him in this year’s championship. Nowhere near his best, in and out of the side, and then suffered a calf problem in the warm-up to the Italy game. Like Itoje, he also badly, badly needs a rest."
RUCK Verdict:
Curry was injured against Italy and otherwise produced a fairly average tournament by his usual high standards. Fitness issues clearly impacted his ability to influence games consistently.
Curry was injured against Italy and otherwise produced a fairly average tournament by his usual high standards. Fitness issues clearly impacted his ability to influence games consistently.
Ollie Lawrence – 3/10
Mail Online:
"Struggles with a knee injury meant that his only appearance came against Ireland and England were cut to ribbons defensively in the outside channels in that game. He’s far better than he showed in this championship."
"Struggles with a knee injury meant that his only appearance came against Ireland and England were cut to ribbons defensively in the outside channels in that game. He’s far better than he showed in this championship."
RUCK Verdict:
Lawrence appeared only against Ireland. He played tidily but had limited opportunity to make a larger impact on the game.
Lawrence appeared only against Ireland. He played tidily but had limited opportunity to make a larger impact on the game.
Luke Cowan-Dickie – 3/10
Mail Online:
"Replaced after just 29 minutes against Ireland as he couldn’t find a lineout jumper with his throws for love nor money, but he’s the type of character to brush off setbacks. The reality is England don’t have better hooking options than him and George right now, even if Theo Dan must surely come through at some point."
"Replaced after just 29 minutes against Ireland as he couldn’t find a lineout jumper with his throws for love nor money, but he’s the type of character to brush off setbacks. The reality is England don’t have better hooking options than him and George right now, even if Theo Dan must surely come through at some point."
RUCK Verdict:
Cowan-Dickie endured a difficult afternoon against Ireland where England’s lineout malfunctioned early. However, his overall contribution and experience still make him an important part of England’s current hooking options.
Cowan-Dickie endured a difficult afternoon against Ireland where England’s lineout malfunctioned early. However, his overall contribution and experience still make him an important part of England’s current hooking options.
Fraser Dingwall – 4/10
Mail Online:
"The Northampton man had enjoyed a good autumn and deserved to start the campaign as England's No 12.
"The Northampton man had enjoyed a good autumn and deserved to start the campaign as England's No 12.
But Borthwick will finish the tournament with question marks over who should be wearing the shirt. Dingwall is another one who disappeared after Ireland and may struggle to retain his place amid competition from Seb Atkinson and Max Ojomoh."
RUCK Verdict:
Dingwall offers distribution as an additional playmaker in midfield but rarely threatens the gainline consistently. This reflects England’s tactical setup as much as it does individual performance.
Dingwall offers distribution as an additional playmaker in midfield but rarely threatens the gainline consistently. This reflects England’s tactical setup as much as it does individual performance.
Freddie Steward – 4/10
Mail Online:
"Started the tournament but like others, he paid the price for the Scotland and Ireland defeats and was nowhere to be seen in the final two rounds. Substituted before half-time against the Irish as England began woefully again. It was bizarre that George Furbank didn’t get a minute at full-back, as he has to be first choice in that position."
"Started the tournament but like others, he paid the price for the Scotland and Ireland defeats and was nowhere to be seen in the final two rounds. Substituted before half-time against the Irish as England began woefully again. It was bizarre that George Furbank didn’t get a minute at full-back, as he has to be first choice in that position."
RUCK Verdict:
Steward endured one of the tournament’s lowest moments against Ireland, receiving a red card and leaving the field after 30 minutes. While it was a difficult outing, the incident highlighted areas for improvement rather than making him a scapegoat for England’s struggles.
Steward endured one of the tournament’s lowest moments against Ireland, receiving a red card and leaving the field after 30 minutes. While it was a difficult outing, the incident highlighted areas for improvement rather than making him a scapegoat for England’s struggles.
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