Toulon have bid for England flanker Tom Curry turned down

The 24-year-old has attracted plenty of interest from France and previously Sale's Premiership rival Leicester Tigers.

Leicester boss Borthwick admires Curry, having spent time with him with England, while Toulon's Franck Azéma wants the flaker to replace Argentina international Facundo Isa, who is expected to leave next summer.

However, both sides have put in offers of around £500k per season, whereas Sale are expected to make Curry their highest paid player on £550k.

Another club that could enter the mix is Racing 92 if Stuart Lancaster takes over.

In other news, Bordeaux have moved to take Sale's Dan du Preez to the Top 14 next season despite him having a year left to run on his deal with the Premiership outfit.

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 and cousin of Doncaster Knights fly-half Sam 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.

Tom made his professional debut against Scarlets on 15 October 2016 in the European Champions Cup, becoming the fourth-youngest English player and youngest Sale Sharks player to have played in the competition.

Making his England debut five days before his 19th birthday against Argentina in 2017, Curry became England’s youngest forward since 1912. In that period, only Jonny Wilkinson debuted for the country at a younger age.

The youngest player in England’s 2019 World Cup squad, Curry also became the youngest English forward to play at a World Cup. His performances at the tournament, including a Man of the Match display against Australia in the quarter-finals, saw him nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year award.

The only way you can tell them 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.