Tom Curry

Tom Curry is an up-and-coming star of rugby union. A powerful and physical flanker, he's already put in some gargantuan performances for Sale Sharks and is now a regular for England.

Born 15 June 1998, Tom Curry began playing rugby union from a young age. During this stage of his career, he was also coached by his father. After graduating from high school, he then studied at Oundle School, where the master in charge of rugby was his uncle and former England international John Olver.

Immediately after his first appearance for Sale Sharks in 2016, Tom Curry embarked on a breakthrough year. After becoming the fourth-youngest English player to ever feature in the Heineken Champions Cup, he scored on his Premiership debut and became the third-youngest scorer in the competition. As a result, he was named a joint recipient of Sale Sharks' Young Player of the Season award. He shared this award with his brother, Ben.

Tom Curry's form saw him capture the attention of the England management team. After playing for his country at U18 and U20 level, he was first called up to the senior England squad in 2017, only a year after making his debut for Sale Sharks. Although his first appearance for the national side was a 'non-test' fixture against the Barbarians, he was voted as the game's man of the match. Shortly after, he appeared in his first test. In doing so, he became the youngest player to start at flanker for England, and the youngest England forward since 1912.

Ever since, Tom Curry has gone from strength to strength for the national side. He played in every game of England's 2019 Six Nations Championship campaign and then started the 2019 Rugby World Cup final. Following this, he played in the England side that won the Six Nations Championship and the Autumn Nations Cup in 2020.

Thanks to his outstanding performances for Sale Sharks and England in recent years, Tom Curry was named in the British and Irish Lions squad for their 2021 tour of South Africa.

Still only in his early twenties and with most of his best years ahead of him, we can't wait to see what Tom Curry can achieve across what's sure to be a long and illustrious career in the game.