England rugby star, 26, forced into special individual training schedule for rest of his career after major surgery
ENGLAND rugby star Tom Curry has agreed to participate in special individual training for the rest of his career.
This comes after the Sale Sharks flanker underwent a gruelling six-hour hip surgery in February which left the 26-year-old flirting with retirement.
Curry was reduced to tears when a surgeon told him that his rugby days were numbered, after suffering pain throughout England’s World Cup campaign last year.
He was diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome – a condition that means the ball in the hip joint is not entirely round.
But despite making an incredible return to fitness in June against Bath, Curry’s routine will be scaled back forever.
The England star agreed to an individual training programme with Sale director Alex Sanderson for the rest of his career.
Both the club and player hope that it will stop him from going “into the red” – which means avoiding further surgeries.
Curry has been unable to follow that plan after suffering a concussion against Harlequins on Sunday.
He is undertaking return-to-play protocols after a club doctor removed him from the team for the rest of the match at half-time of their 12-11 win.
Curry will miss the Gallagher Premiership clash with Saracens on Saturday as a result.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Sanderson expects Curry to resume contact training next week — but he will be treated differently to the rest of the squad.
Sanderson told The Times: “Tom understands what a training week now looks like for him, which is slightly different.
“And should have been different three years ago, but that is how he got himself geared up for games.
“He hasn’t got to the form we know Tom can get to yet and that is not surprising.
“Being the world-class player he is, I have had a chat with him this week about giving him the space to do that.”
The director previously instigated a personalised training plan for Manu Tuilagi before the centre left for France.
With 53 caps, Curry is one of the most experienced players in Steve Borthwick’s squad and is set to enter his prime playing years.
He said that he will not change his all-action playing style, and that his successful rehab process has helped him mature him as a person.
Curry was memorably sent off after 120 seconds in England’s opening win over Argentina at the World Cup following a nasty head collision.