Sam Warburton hails unlikely England star who ‘simply has to be involved’ in British & Irish Lions debate

Ex-British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton predicts that both the Curry twins could crack Andy Farrell’s squad to take on Australia later this year.

While Tom Curry represented the Lions in South Africa four years ago, his brother Ben has only really broken into the England squad this year.

Ben has regularly been on the fringe of the squad but on Saturday, he will earn his fifth consecutive cap and second start as he lines up in the number seven shirt.

His presence in the back-row has caused some concern for Warburton who is worried about whether Wales can match the English loose trio’s power with Ben Curry leading the charge.

The big worry

Warburton believes that the England back-rower has come out on top in each of their positional battles so far this Six Nations.

“My big worry with England is the quality of their back-row. They have been superb in this tournament,” Warburton wrote in his Times column.

“Every game England have played, I have thought that their back-row have won their own battle.

“So Wales have to try to win that duel. Otherwise they will simply not be able to go through the number of phases they want.”

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For the clash against England, interim Wales head coach Matt Sherratt has shaken up his back-row, moving away from the dual openside threat of Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell.

He has dropped Reffell to the bench with Aaron Wainwright coming into the number six jumper which Warburton believes is to provide a better carrying threat along with Taulupe Faletau.

“It is interesting that they are starting with Aaron Wainwright at No. 6, but I think that is because of his ball-carrying ability alongside Taulupe Faletau, the No. 8. They are both very comfortable carrying in the wide 15-metre channels,” he added.

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“But, concerningly, at Murrayfield Scotland just got to Welsh ball too easily. The support runners were often simply too slow. That will have been a massive work-on for Wales this week, otherwise the Curry brothers, Tom and Ben, and Ben Earl, as well as Henry Pollock off the bench, will be sniffing blood.

“I actually think Ben Curry has been one of England’s best players in this tournament, even when just coming off the bench. Both brothers could end up going on the British & Irish Lions tour this summer.

“I have previously mentioned that it is some shoot-out between Josh van der Flier, Rory Darge, Jac Morgan and Tom Curry for the No. 7 jerseys, but Ben Curry simply has to be involved in that conversation too. He has been that good.”

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