CURRYS ALWAYS A REAL GLASS ACT

Earl on how the twin brothers proved their toughness early

- Adam Hathaway

BEN EARL knew the Currys were made of the right stuff when they nearly had to walk on broken glass to represent England as teenagers.

Earl and the Sale twins, Ben and Tom, will combine in the back row against Ireland on Saturday for the first time in a senior shirt.

But about a decade ago, the trio were in the matchday 23 for a national age grade side playing against Wales, at the Gnoll, home of Neath.

Earl revealed conditions were a million miles from what he is used to these days at Twickenham or the Aviva Stadium, with the pitch having to be cleared before kick-off.

But he knew then that the Currys had it in them to make it to the big time.