Borthwick dismisses Curry concussion concern

Today at 11:29 PM

Steve Borthwick insists he is taking no risks in recalling Tom Curry to face Japan at Twickenham just a fortnight after the flanker was knocked out against Australia, his fifth concussion in two years.

Curry’s return at blindside flanker on Sunday is one of only two changes to the side beaten 29-20 by world champions South Africa last weekend, with George Furbank returning at full-back as England look to end a run of five straight defeats.

Curry missed last week’s loss to the Springboks after he was concussed tackling Australia’s Rob Valetini during England’s 42-37 defeat by the Wallabies at Twickenham on November 9.

The tough-tackling Curry, 26, was once dubbed a “kamikaze kid”, along with fellow back-row Sam Underhill, by Japan boss Eddie Jones when the Australian coach was in charge of England.

Concussion is a major issue in rugby union, with several leading former players taking legal action against governing bodies they allege failed to take reasonable action to protect them from permanent injury.

But Borthwick, speaking after naming his side on Friday, said: “There are stringent measures in terms of the players’ return to play. The welfare and health of players is paramount.

“He (Curry) has gone through all those protocols, a number of different consultations, independent specialist consultations.

“He feels great, he’s raring to go.”

Furbank has returned in place of Freddie Steward, famed for his ability under the high ball but now dropped from the matchday 23.

England’s five-game losing streak is their worst sequence of results since 2018 — when Jones was in charge.

Japan were the last side beaten by England, with Borthwick’s men cruising to a 52-17 win in Tokyo in June.

Prop forward Asher Opoku-Fordjour, a member of the England Under-20 team that won this year’s junior world cup, is set to make his Test debut off the bench.

Although they beat Uruguay in France last week, Japan were thrashed 52-12 by France and 64-19 by New Zealand before that.

Borthwick, however, was an assistant coach under Jones with Japan when they stunned South Africa at the 2015 World Cup.

Japan have yet to beat England but Borthwick has decided against wholesale changes for what appears the ‘easiest’ of a November campaign that started with a defeat by New Zealand.

“I’ve talked at length about the need for continuity as one element of selection,” he said. “I think this (Opoku-Fordjour) is the ninth new cap in 12 Test matches.”

Defeat by South Africa meant England had lost three home games in a row for the first time since 2006.

But Borthwick was adamant England were heading in the right direction, saying: “Not delivering the final blow is certainly something we’re disappointed and frustrated about, but many of the things have been working very well to get into those positions.”

Japan also named their team on Friday before the often outspoken Jones withdrew from a scheduled on-line press conference after feeling unwell.

However, the team insist Jones will be at Sunday’s game despite his cold.

“Eddie will be there with bells on,” insisted assistant coach Neal Hatley.

“He’s unbelievably passionate about improving this Japanese team. He couldn’t be more excited about coming to Twickenham. He looks forward to every game.”

Jones’s management style has been in the spotlight after former England scrum-half Danny Care published an autobiography earlier this month in which he said “everyone was bloody terrified” of the veteran Australian coach.

Care added life in Jones’s regime was “like living in a dictatorship, under a despot who disappeared people”.

Scrum specialist Hatley, who has worked under Jones with England, Australia and Japan, said: “You vote with your feet and this is the third time I have had an opportunity to work with him and it is the third time I have jumped at it.

“I have enjoyed my time immensely –- it was a no-brainer for me.”

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

The post Borthwick dismisses Curry concussion concern appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.