England head coach Steve Borthwick faces a significant tactical headache ahead of the autumn opener against Australia, with Tom Curry emerging as a major injury doubt. The Saracens star reportedly sustained a knock during an intense full-contact training session on Wednesday, jeopardizing his availability for Sunday’s crucial fixture. Borthwick is expected to finalize his starting XV on Friday, but the uncertainty surrounding his preferred openside flanker has thrown his back-row configuration into disarray.
Borthwick’s physical plan hit by back-row blow as twin brother steps up
The absence of Tom Curry would be a severe blow to Borthwick’s strategy, which centers on winning the physical battle against the Wallabies. The coach has prioritized ferocious contact drills in recent mini-camps to sharpen his squad’s edge, a focus that has already claimed two other players: Kepu Tuipulotu and Archie McParland are both ruled out for the weekend. With Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill already missing the campaign due to injury, the depth in the back row is stretched thin, making Curry’s potential absence a critical setback.
Consequently, twin brother Ben Curry is in pole position to don the No. 7 jersey, offering a rare silver lining in a difficult week for the England back row. While Tom has recently been utilized as an impact replacement, he was widely tipped to start this November given the squad’s limitations. Borthwick must now decide whether to trust Ben Curry to lead the lineout and defensive structure from the outset, a decision that will define England’s approach in a high-stakes encounter against a formidable Australian side.
Source: The Guardian Sport
