In-form Tom Curry ‘could be another Richie McCaw’

England forwards coach Matt Proudfoot is so impressed by back-row Tom Curry that he believes he has the potential to become another Richie McCaw.

The destructive Sale Sharks flanker continues to act as one of England’s most influential figures through his carrying, breakdown expertise and work-rate.

Curry goes into Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Ireland in excellent form after impressing for England against France in their most recent international.

But he first appeared on Proudfoot’s radar when he was coaching South Africa’s forwards in 2018, preparing the Springbok pack to take on Eddie Jones’ tourists across three Tests with a particular focus on a 19-year-old rookie from the north-west.

Now working with Curry, he believes he has the potential to match New Zealand great McCaw.

Appetite to improve

“We highlighted him as one of the main threats. We actually tried to get to him a little bit and tried to pressurise him,” Proudfoot said.

“In the third Test Tom Curry was man of the match. He was 19 at that stage. That speaks volumes for his character.

“Having worked with him and met him, it’s astounding me how he has an appetite to improve.

“He’s developing great leadership capabilities and he’s an unbelievable team man. That bodes well for his future and he’ll be a big part of the pack going forward.

“If you look at the way Tom has improved over the last three or four years, he just continues that growth. In three or four years’ time he could be another Richie McCaw, that type of player.”