Alex Sanderson gives Tom Curry injury update after Six Nations

Curry had originally been named to start at openside flanker, but during the warm-up he was helped off the field by two physios and was seen walking with a heavy limp.

With PREM Rugby returning this weekend and Sale set to travel to Sandy Park to face Exeter Chiefs, Sanderson addressed Curry’s condition.

"He's pulled his calf, it's Grade 3 and we're hoping for Europe but with these things, and Tom being superhuman, the usual layoff times are extensively diminished because of his character."

Sale face Harlequins in the Champions Cup round of 16 on 3 April, a little over two weeks away. A Grade 3 calf injury would typically rule a player out for around three months.

"Let's see how it goes… The average time it takes is for a human being that isn't as physically fit, that hasn't got all the 24-hour round-the-clock physio treatment, oxygen tents. All of that speeds the process up as well as Tom's commitment to his ability to get fit again."

Sanderson also spoke about managing Curry’s workload and the impact his physical playing style can have on his long-term career.

The flanker previously underwent surgery on a long-standing wrist ligament injury after returning from the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia and missed the start of Sale’s campaign.

"The less games you play, the longer his career, that's the way you've got to look at it. He's not going to play for a few weeks, we'll see how it goes on, then the question around the summer tour, does he need that? Does he need it to be in the best place for a World Cup? Is it better if he just has a few months off over the summer?

"We'll sit down with him and look at a two-year plan when it comes to Tom. The way he plays and the way he's managed will have an effect on the length of his career, 100%. We are on top of it in terms of managing it."

The update on Curry comes after confirmation that his twin brother Ben Curry will miss the remainder of the season following a second operation during the current campaign.

Sanderson also shared positive news regarding prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour. In January, the 21-year-old was ruled out of the 2026 Six Nations after sustaining a serious shoulder injury in training.

He required surgery to stabilise the joint, with an initial recovery period of around two months, while also continuing rehabilitation from a previous elbow injury.

"Very well. Live scrummaging today, banging people around. He's ahead of schedule, he's seeing a specialist on Thursday and the specialist will give him the all-clear to get him into full training next week. Whether or not we play him next week… that will be at the discretion of the medical team."