Sanderson warns about selecting Curry too soon

SELECTING Tom Curry for this summer's England tour comes with a warning from Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson pick him now and risk shortening his Test career.

- JON NEWCOMBE

Curry has defied all logic to return to fitness from a chronic hip injury before the end of the season and is now in contention for a place in Steve Borthwick's squad.

England have three Tests scheduled - one against Japan in Tokyo on June 22 and a two-match. Series against the All Blacks on July 6 and 13 in Dunedin and Auckland, respectively.

When to play Curry is a balancing act that both club and country will have to negotiate as the severity of the damage to his hip, which required a six-hour post-World Cup op, means his game time has to be carefully managed.