This article contains a graphic picture.
When she saw her son bleeding blood from a cut on his forehead during England’s thrashing of France, Tom Curry’s mother burst into tears.
Curry’s face and jersey were drenched in blood, recalling England defender Terry Butcher, who was similarly saturated during a World Cup qualifier against Sweden in 1989.
Curry would not be born for another nine years when the famous photo of Butcher was taken, and forwards coach Steve Borthwick had to tell the Sale openside who the England defender was.
Curry needed six stitches after the 44-8 victory at Twickenham, and he returned to the game with the most serious injury sustained by his mother, Susanne.
“I think my mother’s tears had dried up by the end!” “On Tuesday night, Mum asked me if my head was okay, but everything is fine,” Curry remarked.
“My mother has been trying to get me to wear a scrum cap for the past 20 years.” She’s clearly pressing for it now. Given the amount of blood, everyone was shocked at how minor the cut was.
“I thought I was just sweating until it came up on the big screens and everyone went, ‘Oooh.'” It was not at all painful. It did not even swell.
“Everyone said I had to leave because of a head injury, but it didn’t hurt.” I didn’t aware I’d just head-butted the full-back.
“I’ve heard of Terry Butcher. We discussed him. But unless I was shown a photo, I would not have recognised Terry Butcher. I know now that I’ve seen the photo!”
Curry has been outstanding in England’s dominant start to the Championship, putting in two tough defensive shifts and proving useful as a carrier.
The nation’s long hunt for a real openside is finally finished, and in typical fashion, two have arrived at the same time, with competitor Sam Underhill only missing out due to an ankle injury.
Curry examines film of more experienced players in the position for advice while remaining confident in his own abilities.
“I’m not a fan of just focusing on one person because obviously you’re your own person and have your different traits,” he stated.
“Michael Hooper, David Pocock, and Francois Louw are clearly among the best.” George Smith has also had a significant impact.
“I just look at everyone’s individual games, taking little bits and assembling them almost like Frankenstein – you take bits that you might enjoy and push away stuff you don’t.”
