Fri 19 May 2023 | 08:14
Ben Curry's World Cup hopes dashed as he becomes the latest victim of the crocodile roll

Sale Sharks and England backrow Ben Curry will miss the upcoming Premiership final due to a nasty injury sustained in the semi-final.

Appearing in their first final since 2006, the Sharks will need to fill the void left by the backrow who had a breakthrough international season in 2023.

Having seen his twin brother Tom establish himself as a key contributor for England since making his debut in 2017, Ben looked to be on the precipice of becoming a regular with the national side.

Falling victim to the infamous ‘crocodile roll’ technique, Ben joins a list of players such as England teammate Jack Willis and Ireland’s Dan Leavy on enduring horrific injuries from the movement.

Speaking about the incident, Tom felt more needed to be done to protect players by saying: “If there was something to prevent that (crocodile roll), it would be nice. I think we’ve got to that point now,

“This doesn’t have to be a big thing. It’s just a conversation. But we’re seeing injuries at the breakdown from that, and you’ve got to start listening to what’s happening.

“For me, ultimately, we’re out there to play the game and if there’s something that’s going to make it safer for people going for the ball then brilliant. But for me rugby is brilliant the way it is, and I’ll leave it at that.

“Ben’s a bit less sore now. Because of the type of person, he is, he hasn’t really left the training ground. He’s been in a hyperbaric chamber for about five hours for treatment,

“It’s tough because if there’s someone who deserves to play in a final, I think it’s him. It’s going to give us an edge. It has to.

“I’m sure he’ll return as the fittest, best person to have back from a hamstring that’s ever happened.”

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