England flanker Ben Curry’s hopes of making the squad for the Rugby World Cup later this year have been dealt a major blow due to a hamstring injury.
Sale Sharks captain Curry suffered the injury during their Premiership semi-final triumph over Leicester Tigers last weekend, a fixture they won 21-13.
Curry, who’s been in great form this year, was stretchered from the action which prompted immediate concern over his hopes for the Rugby World Cup.
Awful timing for in-form Curry
He has been ruled out for at least four months with the hamstring problem and will see a specialist this week ahead of surgery on the tendon damage.
It brings an end to his breakthrough campaign for England in which he won four of his five caps to raise the prospect of playing at this year’s World Cup.
Alex Sanderson’s Sale Sharks side have given a prognosis of four to six months for Curry’s rehabilitation, all but ruling him out of the global showpiece.
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“Gutted that my season is over like this but looking forward to supporting the lads over the next two weeks,” Curry said on Instagram in a social post.
News of Curry’s injury was compounded for Sale by fellow back-row Dan du Preez also being ruled out of next week’s Premiership final with Saracens.
The South Africa number eight suffered a dislocated shoulder in the semi-final at the AJ Bell Stadium, which leaves Sale light at the back of the scrum.
Sale short on back-row stars
It is likely that Tom Curry will shift from the blindside to openside flanker for the final, which frees up a place in the back-row for Jean-Luc du Preez.
Sale are looking for their first Premiership title since 2006 when they take on Saracens at Twickenham, but this double injury is a setback to their hopes.
Saracens will go into the game on May 27 as favourites after finishing top of the standings and will be hunting a sixth Premiership title next weekend.