Latest news with #BenCurry
Telegraph
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Ben Curry hits out at Lions fans after ‘gobsmacking' criticism of twin's selection
Ben Curry has hit out at critics of brother Tom's British and Irish Lions selection for Saturday's first Test in an impassioned defence of his identical twin. Ben, the older by 90 minutes, is on England duty in Washington, where Steve Borthwick's side face the United States in their final match of the season. But he has followed closely events in Brisbane and, in particular, the fallout on social media from head coach Andy Farrell's decision to prefer Tom to Jac Morgan at openside flanker. So angered has he been by some of the comments that he questions whether those making them are actually Lions supporters at all. 'There's been a lot of outside criticism which I'm really disappointed about,' said the Sale Sharks captain. 'You'd think people would be Lions supporters, but it doesn't seem so from looking at social media. 'Some of it is gobsmacking. Tom can't say anything about it, obviously, but I think it's incredibly disappointing. Are you Lions supporters or not? That's what gets me.' Farrell explained that picking Tom gives the team the balance the Lions require for the series opener but admitted the call over Morgan was 'as close as you could imagine'. It means the Lions head into a Test without a single Welshman in their squad for the first time since 1896, a fact which has only fed the fire online. Curry is seen as a 'Test match animal' but Morgan has played the house down on this tour and is undoubtedly unfortunate to miss out. 'Tom is a proper glue player and a lot of people won't understand that. He's incredibly selfless, a big game player. You don't get that often,' explained Ben Curry. 'In a rugby team when you look around the circle, look people in the eyes, he's number one on the list of those you want next to you. If I was in that side I wouldn't want to play with anyone else.' Tom, the 62-cap England flanker, started all three Tests for the 2021 Lions in South Africa. He has played in a World Cup final, captained his country and been shortlisted for world player of the year. Ben says he is '100 per cent' certain the criticism will bring the best out of his brother on rugby's biggest stage. 'I'm incredibly proud of how Tom has gone about his business, how he has dealt with everyone and everything on the outside,' he added. 'The way he's handled it and the way he's played has been unbelievably professional.'
The Independent
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
England duties provide solace for Ben Curry after Sale's Premiership disappointment
Ben Curry is delighted to have the immediate distraction of England duty as he parks Gallagher Premiership heartache on the back of being overlooked by the British and Irish Lions. The Sale captain linked up with Steve Borthwick 's squad just three days after his club were denied a place in Saturday's Premiership final by an agonising 21-16 semi-final loss to Leicester. Flanker Curry is among the senior figures in a 37-man training camp, containing 16 uncapped players, ahead of upcoming Tests against Argentina and the United States. Head coach Borthwick is currently without players from Premiership finalists Bath and Leicester in addition to a host of star names, including Curry's twin brother Tom, who are involved in the Lions' summer tour of Australia. While in an ideal world he would have been in different surroundings this week, Curry is not contemplating what might have been. 'It's very easy to do the opposite of that,' he said, 'There's always something different to go after. Obviously you've got to address the emotional disappointment but, with professional sport, there's always something thrown at you next. 'Essentially, you can't rest, it's about just cracking on to the next thing. The challenge we've got this tour is properly exciting. 'I think it's a perfect position. Obviously very disappointed after that semi-final but the beauty of rugby is there is always something next and we're quite fortunate it's straight away. 'In five weeks I might address those emotions, but right now it's quite nice to just throw yourself into something different.' Curry impressed during a Guinness Six Nations campaign which brought four wins from five for England and a second-placed finish behind champions France. Yet the 26-year-old was subsequently left out of the Lions squad revealed by head coach Andy Farrell in May. 'I haven't had anything, so for me, I just want to play for England,' said Curry when asked if he retained hope of a late Lions call-up, 'I've literally had nothing, so I wouldn't have a clue.' England front-row pair Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour were this week added to Farrell's group as injury cover, with Ireland prop Finlay Bealham taking the place of stricken Scotland tighthead Zander Fagerson. Speaking of the opportunity for 20-year-old Sale team-mate Opoku-Fordjour, Curry said: 'He's still very young. He's got so much potential to grow. 'For him to be around the best players in the world, I think could do wonders for him. 'His ceiling is so high, it's unbelievable. Even to have a sniff of that, he's going to come back and he's just going to go from strength to strength. I've got full confidence in that.' Meanwhile, Henry Arundell has been drafted straight back into the England setup after finishing his spell with Racing 92. The former London Irish wing, who has agreed a return to the Premiership with Bath for next season, was unavailable for international selection during his time in France. Arundell scored a try on his Test debut against Australia in 2022 and registered five scores during England's pool-stage victory over Chile at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Asked for his initial impressions of the 22-year-old, Curry said: 'Very quick. He's unbelievable, isn't he? We're definitely blessed to have him back.'
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Argentina Tests can be making of young England
Ben Curry says this summer's tour to Argentina can be the making of a generation of England 18-year-old Curry went on England's last trip to the country in a back injury contributed to him having to wait another four years for his first Test cap, he says the atmosphere around England's two Test victories had a lasting effect on him."I remember Argentina in 2017, there was barb wire around the stadium, a moat," the flanker told Radio 5 Live. "It was a completely different atmosphere to anything I had ever seen. "Especially for some of the younger players who haven't done it before, it makes you grow up." As in 2017, this year's away series against the Pumas coincides with a British and Irish Lions tour, opening up opportunities for younger players to stake their claim to senior England prop Afolabi Fasogbon, part of the England under-20 side who won their age-grade world title last summer, was included in a four-day training camp this week before squad selection on Monday, 23 are a place above England in the world rankings and have beaten France, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia on their home turf over the past 12 will take on the Pumas in the 35,000-capacity Estadio Uno in Buenos Aires – the home of top-flight football side Estudiantes - on 5 July before travelling to San Juan and an altitude of about 1,500m above sea level for the second and final match of the series seven days later. Curry, who turns 27 on Sunday and has captained club side Sale this season, says he expects to have more of a leadership role than he did eight years ago."I am no longer the most nervous person in the room which is quite nice!" he joked."It has come round full circle. I am not that old, but in terms of this group I will probably have to step up a bit with us missing a few people."There is definitely enough here to hold the fort down. Whatever the team requires I will do." 'I need to find my Leicester shirt' Bath and Leicester's players have missed this week's training camp as they prepare for Saturday's Premiership is in no doubt which set of absent team-mates he is backing."I need to find my Leicester shirt," he said."I'd love Leicester to win it. I think anyone who's not a Bath fan will want Leicester to win it to be honest."Everyone loves an underdog don't they? Up the Tigers!"
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Ben Curry happy to throw himself into England duty after Sale disappointment
Ben Curry is delighted to have the immediate distraction of England duty as he parks Gallagher Premiership heartache on the back of being overlooked by the British and Irish Lions. The Sale captain linked up with Steve Borthwick's squad just three days after his club were denied a place in Saturday's Premiership final by an agonising 21-16 semi-final loss to Leicester. Flanker Curry is among the senior figures in a 37-man training camp, containing 16 uncapped players, ahead of upcoming Tests against Argentina and the United States. Head coach Borthwick is currently without players from Premiership finalists Bath and Leicester in addition to a host of star names, including Curry's twin brother Ben, who are involved in the Lions' summer tour of Australia. While in an ideal world he would have been in different surroundings this week, Curry is not contemplating what might have been. 'It's very easy to do the opposite of that,' he said. 'There's always something different to go after. Obviously you've got to address the emotional disappointment but, with professional sport, there's always something thrown at you next. 'Essentially, you can't rest, it's about just cracking on to the next thing. The challenge we've got this tour is properly exciting. 'I think it's a perfect position. Obviously very disappointed after that semi-final but the beauty of rugby is there is always something next and we're quite fortunate it's straight away. 'In five weeks I might address those emotions, but right now it's quite nice to just throw yourself into something different.' Curry impressed during a Guinness Six Nations campaign which brought four wins from five for England and a second-placed finish behind champions France. Yet the 26-year-old was subsequently left out of the Lions squad revealed by head coach Andy Farrell in May. 'I haven't had anything, so for me, I just want to play for England,' said Curry when asked if he retained hope of a late Lions call-up. 'I've literally had nothing, so I wouldn't have a clue.' England front-row pair Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour were this week added to Farrell's group as injury cover, with Ireland prop Finlay Bealham taking the place of stricken Scotland tighthead Zander Fagerson. Speaking of the opportunity for 20-year-old Sale team-mate Opoku-Fordjour, Curry said: 'He's still very young. He's got so much potential to grow. 'For him to be around the best players in the world, I think could do wonders for him. 'His ceiling is so high, it's unbelievable. Even to have a sniff of that, he's going to come back and he's just going to go from strength to strength. I've got full confidence in that.' Meanwhile, Henry Arundell has been drafted straight back into the England setup after finishing his spell with Racing 92. The former London Irish wing, who has agreed a return to the Premiership with Bath for next season, was unavailable for international selection during his time in France. Arundell scored a try on his Test debut against Australia in 2022 and registered five scores during England's pool-stage victory over Chile at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Asked for his initial impressions of the 22-year-old, Curry said: 'Very quick. He's unbelievable, isn't he? We're definitely blessed to have him back.'
BBC News
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Premiership Rugby: Leicester, Sale and Bristol into semi-finals
Update: Date: 17:36 BST Title: Bye for now... Content: After 36 weeks and 18 rounds of regular-season action, we have the four clubs that will be going for Premiership glory this season. Leaders Bath will face fierce rivals Bristol on Friday night in what could be an outrageously entertaining game of attacking rugby between two sides that flood forward with fearless aggression. Then we have second-placed Leicester Tigers up against Sale Sharks on Saturday. It is a match that screams rugby union arm-wrestle! You can follow radio and live text commentaries of both those matches right here on the BBC Sport website. Until then, adios. Update: Date: 17:33 BST Title: The final standings Content: So the day ends as it began with Leicester and Sale both getting over the line to secure third and fourth place, respectively. Bristol came through a breathless match with Harlequins, while Gloucester and Saracens both won their games but ultimately fell short. Update: Date: 17:30 BST Title: 'I'm unbelievably excited' - Curry Content: FT: Exeter 26-30 Sale Sale captain Ben Curry told TNT Sports: "Credit to Exeter, they're an unbelievable team and we knew that coming down here. "Where they are in the table probably doesn't reflect how good a side they are - all credit to Exeter but we can definitely do better. We know there's more in us. "Rob [du Preez] said we were fighting for another Monday together and we've got that so we're very grateful to get into a semi-final. We've worked unbelievably hard to get there." On the Premiership play-off semi-final against Leicester Tigers next Saturday: "I can't wait - one of those ones, Welford Road away, I'm unbelievably excited already." Update: Date: 17:24 BST Title: 'There'll be fireworks at Bath' - MacGinty Content: FT: Bristol 52-26 Harlequins Bristol Bears fly-half AJ MacGinty speaking to TNT Sports: "It's massive [to win today]. I think we wanted to finish the season strong. "Our home form this season hasn't been great so there was an edge this week, a lot to play for so we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to come out and deliver. "We spoke a lot about it being 11 months of hard work to get to this point and let's finish the job and get that play-off spot. "Next week at the Rec's going to be a hell of an atmosphere." On the semi-final against Bath: "Since I've been here it's the one game that the players and the local lads, it gets the going like no other game. It means so much to the boys to represent Bristol and what it means to the fans, so yeah fireworks next week - fireworks." Update: Date: 17:21 BST Title: 'Cheika is world class' Content: FT: Leicester 42-20 Newcastle Tom VarndellFormer England and Leicester wing on BBC Radio Leicester If Michael Cheika can mould his Leicester side properly they can absolutely beat Sale, and get themselves into the final. He is a world class coach and has the ability to get someone ready for war, and Leicester will be seeing it as going to war two weeks in a row. It's also huge that the match will be at home, with the Welford Road crowd behind the players. Update: Date: 17:19 BST Title: 'I'm so proud' - Sanderson Content: FT: Exeter 26-30 Sale Sharks Sale Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson told TNT Sports: "I've got one of these smart watches to track my heart rate and the alarm was going off for the whole of the second half. "Nerve-wracking and probably made it tough for ourselves at times but chuffed that we're in the semi-finals but we've got to be better than that. "We'll have a good crack on the plane home tonight and I'll lean into Sunday and maybe get a bottle of Malbec and then it's all hands to the pump again on Monday morning. "It's such a good group. I'm so proud of them." On finding out about Sale's semi-final opponents, Leicester Tigers: "Oh well good. We've learned some lessons and we'll have to put that right from two or three weeks ago. I'll be looking forward to going back down there." Update: Date: 17:16 BST Title: Post Content: FT: Exeter 26-30 Sale Brent PilnickBBC Sport at Sandy Park That was some finish at Sandy Park, but in the end the home fans go home disappointed. It was a valiant effort from Exeter, and one that will give them hope for next season. As for Sale, they can be buoyed by some of their first half attacking play, but they will know they have to work on their defence as they struggled to cope with Exeter at times after the break. Update: Date: 17:13 BST Title: 'Play-offs will be cracking' Content: FT: Bristol 52-26 Harlequins Gareth ChilcottEx-England and Bath prop on BBC Radio Bristol Bristol will need to work on their defence this week but you know the play-offs will be a cracker. Bath will be worried about this Bristol side, especially because they've just been beaten by Saracens. It could go either way. Update: Date: 17:10 BST Title: Semi-finals confirmed Content: Premiership play-off semi-final fixtures So there we go, at the end of the day the table stayed as it was before this afternoon started. 1 Bath 2 Leicester 3 Sale 4 Bristol That means that next week our two semi-finals will be: Bath v Bristol, Friday, 6 June (19:45 BST) Leicester v Sale, Saturday, 7 June (15:30 BST) Update: Date: 17:05 BST Title: Post Content: And breathe. The curtain has closed on the 18th and final round of the 2024-25 Premiership season and we have full-time in all five of our matches. Let's see where that leaves us, shall we and get some reaction. Update: Date: 17:01 BST Title: Full-time Content: Leicester 42-20 Newcastle Leicester have themselves a shot at a record-extending 12th Premiership crown. This win sets up a home semi-final against Sale Sharks next week. It will be another emotional day as it is the last chance for a number of favourites, including living club legends Ben Youngs and Dan Cole, to play at home. Update: Date: 17:00 BST Title: Full-time Content: Gloucester 41-26 Northampton Gloucester did all they could to try snatch a play-off spot today, but results elsewhere mean they fall just short. Headlining the win was Christian Wade, who signs off a Premiership player with two tries. He switches rugby codes next week to join Super League giants Wigan Warriors. Update: Date: 17:00 BST Title: Converted try: Leicester 42-20 Newcastle Content: Ollie Hassell-Collins (78 mins) con Ben Volavola Ollie Hassell-Collins gets the try he has richly deserved today! It's a score that completes an ultimately comfortable win that secures a home play-off semi-final next week. Update: Date: 16:58 BST Title: Try: Gloucester 41-26 Northampton Content: Christian Wade (79 mins) Christian Wade has signed off from rugby union in style! He races away with all the flash that has made him one of the Premiership's most prolific try-scorers. Gloucester will win this easy, but they will fall short of the play-offs. Update: Date: 16:56 BST Title: Full-time Content: Bristol 52-26 Harlequins It'll be at least one more game for this captivating Bristol side as the final whistle confirms the victory that secures fourth spot for the Bears. An incredible 12 tries today at Ashton Gate between two of the league's great entertainers. A wonderful game to wrap things up in Bristol for another year. They'll face local rivals Bath for a place at Twickenham. Update: Date: 16:56 BST Title: 'Curry relieved' Content: FT: Exeter 26-30 Sale Chris MallabandBBC Radio Manchester It was a valiant effort by Chiefs to get back into this, but you just know Ben Curry will be the most relieved man in the stadium. His misplaced pass could've led to a try. Update: Date: 16:55 BST Title: Converted try: Leicester 35-20 Newcastle Content: Sammy Arnold (76 mins) con Brett Connon Newcastle have not relented, despite being well done late on. Sammy Arnold finishes off a well worked team move before Brett Connon converts. Just three minutes left in this one. Update: Date: 16:54 BST Title: Full-time: Exeter 26-30 Sale Content: Sale breathe a MASSIVE sigh of relief. With the last play of the game, Exeter look to play ball in hand but an overcooked pass sees the ball go out of play and that is that. It was a terrific second-half performance from Exeter, who remember trailed at the break by 15 points, but it wasn't enough to get a result as the Sharks seal third place in the final season standings and set up a clash at Leicester Tigers next Saturday in the Premiership play-off semi-final. Tries from Rekeiti Ma'asi-White, Bevan Rodd and England's Luke Cowan-Dickie helped them get over the line today but you would imagine they will have to play better than that if they are to get their hands on just a second Premiership title in their history. Update: Date: 16:54 BST Title: Converted try: Leicester 35-13 Newcastle Content: Matt Rogerson (73 mins), Ben Volavola Matt Rogerson is another Leicester Tigers players on their way out at the end of the season, and he has come up with a bit of a leaving present. Solomone Kata shifts the ball to Rogerson, who barges over to finish. It is blow-out now. Update: Date: 16:53 BST Title: Full-time Content: Saracens 36-26 Bath The full-time whistle brings an end to Saracens' season as they miss out on the play-offs for only the third time since 2009. The Men in Black looked like they had wrapped the result up long ago but a very young Bath side put in a spirited fightback to bring them within 10 points at StoneX Stadium.
