Sale Sharks have faced a stern test to keep hold of their prize asset Tom Curry.
RUCK sources suggested that Leicester Tigers were very interested in the 24-year-old England star, who has won 45 England caps since making his impactful international debut against Argentina in 2017.
A source had revealed Curry, who is one the underpaid England stars, may have had his head turned by a higher offer from the Tigers.
However, Sharks remained adamant that their academy product, who is out of contract next summer, is going nowhere and RUCK now understands he is close to signing a contract extension at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Curry is currently away on international duty as a key part of Eddie Jones squad for the Autumn Nations Series.
The plan for Sale has always been to sort out Curry’s long-term future with the offer of a new deal worth somewhere in the region of £600,000 a season, which would make him the club’s highest-paid player.
They’d be able to fund this in part due to Manu Tuilagi departing the club next summer.
That represents a massive pay hike for the fans’ favourite who is on just £430,000-a-season and all the indications are that Curry will be happy to put pen to paper before the new year.
His representatives have been kept fully informed of Sale’s intentions and have already held informal conversations.
Tom Curry facts:
- Curry played for Crewe & Nantwich in the early stages of his amateur career where he was coached by his father as well as local cult hero Bobby Walsh
- He, along with his twin brother Ben, is the son of Bishop Heber High School Head Teacher David Curry and nephew of former England hooker John Olver
- It is true that the brothers had a trial at Manchester City, who the twins support, but that was scuppered by Tom scoring a spectacular own goal. Probably for the best in the end
- The only way you can tell Tom and Ben apart is by their hair. Tom has his styled to the right while Ben has his swept to the left.
- The duo played for Sale FC in National 2 League North before making their debut for Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership
England players wages revealed with £460k-a-season Marcus Smith the seventh highest earner
Marcus Smith might be the latest big thing in English rugby but he is still only England’s seventh highest earner.
#10. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks) – £430,000 per season
#9. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) – £450,000
#8. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) – £450,000
#7. Marcus Smith (Harlequins) – £460,000
#6. Mako Vunipola (Saracens) – £500,000
