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Tom Curry will be available for England\u2019s final World Cup group game after receiving a two-match ban for his dangerous tackle against Argentina on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Curry was shown a red card that was upgraded from yellow upon review following a clash of heads with Pumas full-back Juan Cruz Mallia in the third minute at Marseille\u2019s Stade Velodrome.<\/p>\n
A virtual disciplinary panel gave Curry a three-game suspension that will be reduced to two if he completes World Rugby\u2019s \u2018Coaching Intervention Programme\u2019, otherwise known as tackle school.<\/p>\n
It means the Sale openside will be available to face Samoa in Lille on October 7 in England\u2019s final Pool D assignment.<\/p>\n
Curry accepted at the independent hearing that his challenge on Mallia was a sending off offence and having imposed the mid-range sanction of a six-game suspension, the panel applied mitigation for his admission of guilt, exemplary disciplinary record and apology.<\/p>\n
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England at least have the satisfaction of knowing their defensive kingpin will be available for the knockout phase if, as expected, they advance out of Pool D in the wake of routing closest group rivals Argentina.<\/p>\n
However, Curry\u2019s ban is an example of the inconsistency of rugby\u2019s disciplinary process given South Africa\u2019s Jesse Kriel escaped punishment for his head-on-head collision with Jack Dempsey of Scotland at the same venue the following day.<\/p>\n
Tom Curry is a world class player – he’s proven that time and time again<\/p>\n
It is a cruel development for Curry given he was just three minutes into making his first appearance under Steve Borthwick, having recovered from hamstring and ankle injuries.<\/p>\n
When asked for his view of the dismissal on Tuesday, England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth said: \u201cRugby is in an invasion sport where collisions happen, accidents happen. It\u2019s a fast moving game with incredible athletes.<\/p>\n
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\u201cTom Curry is a world class player \u2013 he\u2019s proven that time and time again. It\u2019s really unfortunate what happened, but knowing Tom as we all do, the next time he plays for England he will no doubt have a big impact on both sides of the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curry becomes the third England player to receive a ban during the World Cup or its build-up, with the 25-year-old following Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola into the disciplinary doghouse.<\/p>\n
Offsetting his unavailability for the Japan and Chile matches is that Vunipola completed his own two-match suspension in the Argentina game, providing a heavyweight back row reinforcement.<\/p>\n
Vunipola is expected to be involved in Nice on Sunday and, given he will have gone four weeks without playing a minute, has been beasted in training under the watch of head of strength and conditioning Aled Walters.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately for Billy he was handed over to Aled Walters, which is not a pleasant experience for him,\u201d Wigglesworth said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a group of lads who are given extra conditioning, lads who maybe didn\u2019t get many minutes or didn\u2019t play.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately for Billy that\u2019s been him every time for the last few weeks. Aled has been working him hard and he looks good to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vunipola could slot straight in at number eight against Japan with Ben Earl either moving to openside to cover for Curry or being rested altogether.<\/p>\n
\u201cBilly has got great physical presence and it\u2019s great to have him back on the training field,\u201d Wigglesworth said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut he\u2019s a really smart player as well \u2013 he puts himself in great positions and he\u2019s got great hands. He\u2019s got more threat than just being a big ball carrier.<\/p>\n
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\u201cHe\u2019s really smart and knows when to shift the ball and change the point of contact for other players as well. It\u2019s great for us to have him available.\u201d<\/p>\n
Retired former England second row George Kruis, who won 45 caps from 2014 to 2020, has joined up with Borthwick\u2019s management staff in Le Touquet to provide short-term assistance coaching the line-out.<\/p>\n