Sale Sharks have announced that Ben Curry, the England flanker, will need to undergo surgery on a hamstring tendon, putting his participation in this year’s Rugby World Cup in doubt.
Curry sustained the injury during Sale’s 21-13 victory over Leicester Tigers in the Premiership semi-final on Sunday. Consequently, he will be absent from the final against Saracens at Twickenham this Saturday.
Sale confirmed the news in a statement about Curry and Dan du Preez, who injured his shoulder, stating: “Both players will require surgery ahead of the new season and will be seeing specialists this week.
“Ben and Dan have put in huge shifts this season to get us to Twickers and we can’t thank them enough.”
Sharks boss Alex Sanderson’s deep connection with both teams adds an extra layer of excitement to the highly anticipated final.
“Integral” – 5 surprise players who could be named in Steve Borthwick’s 55-man England squad
England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, has made it clear that he expects players who were not part of the Six Nations squad to prove themselves worthy of a place in his World Cup plans.
The team will begin their World Cup campaign in France against Argentina in Marseille on September 9th.
Below are some players who were not involved in the Six Nations but have the potential to strengthen England’s squad.
#1. Joe Launchbury – Harlequins
The 70-times-capped, 6ft5in and 126kg England lock returns to Harlequins this summer having originally joined the Harlequins Academy as a 15-year-old playing for affiliate clubs Worthing and Horsham, staying with Quins until the age of 18 when he moved to Wasps.
Earning his Premiership debut as a teenager, Launchbury was named the Premiership’s Young Player of the Year award for the 2012/13 season.
The 31-year-old went on to establish himself as one of the premier locks in the country, becoming one of the most capped second rows in English history and going on to be named Wasps’ Club captain.
