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Thursday
14:00
Gallagher PremiershipSale

Tom Curry returns to Sale Sharks for trip to Bristol

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

British & Irish Lions backrow Tom Curry returns to action for Sale Sharks, the first time he’s played since being injured in the Heineken Champions Cup in early December.

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It’s one change that Alex Sanderson has made as his side face Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate in round 13 of the Gallagher Premiership.

Curry replaced brother Ben in the backrow. The youngest England debutant since Jonny Wilkinson tweaked his back playing against the Ospreys in Europe, an injury Sanderson described at the time as a case of ‘old man’s back’.

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Jono Ross skippers the side from the blindside flank, and with Curry slotting in at openside. Daniel du Preez completes the Sharks pack at No.8.

Meanwhile Max Lahiff returns to the starting line-up for the Bristol Bears. The prop is one of three changes to the side that recorded a losing bonus point last weekend versus Exeter Chiefs.

Henry Purdy is the only change to the backline, while John Hawkins comes into the second row.

SALE SHARKS: 15. Luke James, 14. Byron McGuigan, 13. Robert du Preez, 12. Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11. Marland Yarde, 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Will Cliff; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Ewan Ashman, 3. Nick Schonert, 4. Jean-Luc du Preez, 5. Lood de Jager, 6. Jono Ross (C), 7. Tom Curry, 8. Daniel du Preez

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REPLACEMENTS: 16. Tommy Taylor, 17. Simon McIntyre, 18. Coenie Oosthuizen, 19. Jean-Pierre du Preez, 20. Ben Curry, 21. Gus Warr, 22. Sam James, 23. Simon Hammersley

BRISTOL BEARS: 15. Luke Morahan, 14. Ioan Lloyd, 13. Semi Radradra, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Henry Purdy, 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Harry Randall; 1. Max Lahiff, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Joe Joyce (c), 5. John Hawkins, 6. Chris Vui, 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Fitz Harding

REPLACEMENTS: 16. Will Capon, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. John Afoa, 19. Ed Holmes, 20. Jake Heenan, 21. Andy Uren, 22. Piers O’Conor, 23. Jack Bates.

Kick-off at Ashton Gate is at 7.45 on Friday night UK time.

Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant Referees: Anthony Woodthorpe & Jamie Leahy
TMO: Tom Foley
Citing Officer: James Hall

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Tom 31 minutes ago
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode

I'm flabbergasted that our pundits are so obsessed with a poor substitution and have failed to notice the only time we got anywhere near the tryline was an interception. England have no attack. It's a shambles and it's exactly what I've always expected from Borthers and the Wiggler.

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Tom 33 minutes ago
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode

Borthers should go. He hasn't got what it takes. England's defence was the only thing we had going for us with Felix Jones and Borthers couldn't keep him. Set piece is ok. Our attack is AWFUL and he's shown zero sign of trying to do anything about it.

16 Go to comments
B
Bigal52 36 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

And what do you call a professional grade. Explain how you would coach them. It's very obvious you've been there done that. So let us all into your secret

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T
Tom 38 minutes ago
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode

Yep

16 Go to comments
T
Tom 39 minutes ago
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode

It's got nothing to do with Slade.


It doesn't matter who you put in what shirt, they have no attacking gameplan except chasing kicks. The whole backline is muddled and static.

16 Go to comments
T
Tom 41 minutes ago
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode

Agree. England's defence was passionate but poorly organised and their attack was terrible. England have gone backwards. We created nothing and NZ made a lot of clean line breaks.

16 Go to comments
T
Tom 43 minutes ago
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode

Completely and utterly agree mate. The whole George Ford kick substitution issue pales into significance compared to the issue that we didn't get anywhere near the bloody tryline except with an interception. Our attack is nonexistent. If we're only getting a maximum of 3 points on an entry to the red zone it doesn't matter who's on the damn bench! Borthers and Wigglesworth spent their careers trotting after kicks and taking set pieces, that's how they think rugby should be played. The scoreline was incredibly flattering, England were poor.

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HJ 48 minutes ago
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Bull Shark 59 minutes ago
Borthwick, it's time to own up – Andy Goode

You can’t knock the defence.


The entire England defence was on the wrong side of the break down.

England conceded three tries. There defence was poor. And they only scored one (intercept) try. So their much lauded attack was also poor.


England are worse than they were last year.

16 Go to comments
f
fl 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

That's what you get with Smith! He's still a player who is more likely to provide a moment of brilliance than a well structured attack.


Meanwhile Ford is someone who will give you brilliant phase play throughout a test match, but he's not fast enough to properly take advantage of a tired defence in the last 20 minutes.


Picking Smith to start and Ford off the bench, rather than the other way around, or giving either one of them the full 80, is a baffling decision.

18 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Everyone is saying the same thing after agonising England loss

I’d love to be a fly on the wall at the next England team meeting.


Reckon Felix Jones will keep his camera off ”to save bandwidth”.

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DA 1 hour ago
Jake White: It isn't only the All Blacks who have lost their aura

so what???? They also beat 4 of the worlds top 5 sides to win the world cup which your team could not do.

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Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Scotland vs South Africa | Live & Latest Rugby Union Scores & Results | RugbyPass

This is going to be a tough old match at Scottish gas stadium.


The boks will need to be sharp and well prepared. Can’t be complacent.


But then they can relax for their easy game against England.


Boks by 10.

1 Go to comments
f
fl 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'

I think everyone is aware that Ford is poor defensively. He's actually improved significantly recently, and looked really strong in the tackle in the six nations, but still I think if we're judging fly-halves purely on their defence, Ford is a long way off the standard set by Farrell, Smith, and Smith.


But that isn't why he keeps getting picked. Its because of what an incredible attacking fly-half he's been for over a decade.

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D
DA 1 hour ago
Jake White: It isn't only the All Blacks who have lost their aura

"If the Boks are not switched on 100% against the top 8/9 teams, they could lose." This applies to every other team as well, not just the Boks

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DA 1 hour ago
Jake White: It isn't only the All Blacks who have lost their aura

you lot with the Irish are the biggest boasters and so you do care about your"aura"

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