ANOTHER HOT CURRY FOR EDDIE

BEN CURRY led Sale Sharks back into the Premiership title race at the Ricoh Arena last night and showed Eddie Jones that he is a breakdown predator in the same mould as his twin brother, England flanker Tom.

The 22-year- old delivered a captain’s performance as a supposedly weakened Sharks line-up eclipsed Wasps with a thunderous demonstration of forward power. Curry edged his ruck battle with England prospect Jack Willis in front of national coach Jones to enhance his quest for a first Test cap.

‘Ben Curry is one of the best back-row forwards in the country,’ said Steve Diamond, Sale’s Director of Rugby. ‘He hasn’t had the recognition with England yet, but I’m sure that will come. He was outstanding.’

Diamond praised his team’s improved discipline and the physicality typified by two ‘6ft 4in nightclub bouncers’ in the second row: Matt Postlethwaite and James Phillips.

Sale’s win was also founded on a devastating scrum onslaught. While the Cheshire club have reinforced their squad with a raft of South Africans, their English contingent came to the fore. Ross Harrison, the 27-year- old prop from Bolton, was instrumental in dismantling Wasps in the set pieces.

In the aftermath of his side’s capitulation against Exeter last Friday, Diamond had warned that two successive defeats had cast doubt on their title prospects. ‘We’re out of the race unless we get ourselves together in the next three weeks,’ he said.

Well, they got themselves together despite having to rest most of their leading lights ahead of a showdown with Bristol in Salford on Saturday.

They were dominant up front and knocked Wasps out of their stride with ferociously aggressive defence all over the field.

The game was no classic in poor conditions, but the visitors were ruthlessly efficient. With Sale’s pack winning the collisions, AJ MacGinty’s five penalties put them in command before a decisive try midway through the second half. From an attacking lineout, Sale’s forwards rumbled into the home 22 before the ball was shipped right and Luke James touched down.

Wasps failed to claim a losing bonus point despite a late try by Willis to add to the two penalties by Jimmy Gopperth.