CURRY FAVOUR

England rally round Tom to take bronze

- ALEX SPINK

TOM CURRY ended a nightmare week with a World Cup bronze medal as England marked his 50th cap with victory in Paris.

Daring to allege he was the victim of a racial slur against South Africa in last Saturday's semi-final had led the Sale star and his family to be widely abused on social media.

But England stood full square behind him and last night both team and player were able to enjoy a narrow win over Argentina.

England's only previous experience of the match nobody wants to play had come in 1995 when Will Carling's side, broken from their semi-final bulldozing by New Zealand and four-try Jonah Lomu, failed to muster a performance against France.