‘Phenomenal’ Tom Curry close to Gallagher Premiership return after using Manchester United’s anti-gravity machine
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Published 07/05/2024 at 12:15 GMT
Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson says England international Tom Curry is “not far away” from a return to action after undergoing major hip surgery last November. The 25-year-old hasn’t featured since last year’s World Cup but could yet play a key role as Sale look to secure a Gallagher Premiership play-off spot. The Sharks sit sixth ahead of games against Leicester Tigers and Saracens.
Tom Curry of England looks on during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Bronze Final match between Argentina and England at Stade de France on October 27, 2023 in Paris, France.
Image credit: Getty Images
Tom Curry could be in line for a return to action as Sale Sharks push for a place in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs at the end of a rollercoaster season.
The flanker hasn’t played since England beat Argentina to finish third in last year’s Rugby World Cup, but Sale’s director of rugby Alex Sanderson hinted he might feature in this Friday’s game against Leicester Tigers, live on TNT Sports.
Curry underwent major surgery for a degenerative hip condition at the end of last November that was expected to rule him out for the remainder of the season, but he could yet play a pivotal role for his club after exceeding expectations during his rehab.
“He did his first high-intensity session with us today and got through it well,” said Sanderson. “[He is] communicating and driving standards really well.
“We don’t know how he is going to get through the week, this is his first full week training, but we will have a better idea on Thursday in terms of how his body is feeling.”
As part of his recovery, Curry has been using the facilities at Manchester United – including a treadmill that alters the effect of gravity while you run – and has been working with a sprint coach at Loughborough to improve his biomechanics.
“I’m surprised at how well he is moving,” Sanderson added. “We do blocks of four to six minutes on the really high-intensity days and that’s non-stop, with balls coming in [constantly].
“We measure metres per minute, accelerations, decelerations, all of that, with a GPS. This was only one block on Friday, but he topped them all, and that’s someone who’s been out for as long as he has.
“He’s come back in great shape. His ability to back that up is what the question is now. He moves so well and talks so passionately.
“He’s a phenomenal athlete, an outstanding player. Provided his fitness is alright, he’s not far away.”
Sanderson has also heaped praise on Curry’s work ethic and admitted he’s in such good condition that “it’s like he hasn’t had more than a couple of weeks off” and that he is arguably moving “better than he was before.”
Sale topped the table in the early part of the season but now sit sixth with just two games remaining. Their hopes of securing a semi-final spot have been kept alive by three consecutive wins that have them just two points behind Bristol Bears in fourth with two games remaining.
They welcome Leicester to the Salford Community Stadium on Friday night before a potentially decisive clash at Saracens on the final weekend.
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