Tom Curry may be stood down from international rugby duty

The England flanker has become one of the most influential forwards in the game, but his all-action style is continuing to raise concerns about the physical toll on his body.

Curry is currently dealing with a calf injury suffered in the warm-up before England’s Six Nations defeat to Italy. It’s the latest setback in a growing injury record that has started to mount over the past few seasons.

The 25-year-old missed the start of the current campaign after undergoing wrist surgery following the British & Irish Lions tour, and has also battled a serious hip injury in recent years, along with hamstring issues, concussion protocols and shoulder problems.

While none have derailed his career, the frequency and variety of injuries are becoming a concern for both club and country.

Sanderson believes Curry’s relentless approach—throwing himself into collisions, dominating the breakdown and covering huge defensive ground—makes him world-class, but could ultimately shorten his career if not managed carefully.

With the World Cup now just over 18 months away, Sale are weighing up whether it makes sense for Curry to be involved in a summer tour or instead take a full break to recover.

Speaking to RugbyPass, Sanderson said: “There’s a question around a summer tour. Does he need that? Does he need it to be in the best place for the World Cup?

“Is it better that he just has a few months off over the summer? That’s for us to discuss with England.”

Any decision will be made jointly with England, but Sale’s stance underlines a growing priority to manage Curry’s workload—ensuring one of their key players is fit and firing when it matters most.