Curry has to convince mum he’s OK after cut brings on a ‘Terry Butcher’ moment
WITH blood oozing from his head and dripping down on his face, England’s Tom Curry initially thought he was just sweating during Sunday’s Six Nations clash.
When the image of the forward in his blood-soaked white jersey was broadcast onto Twickenham’s screens, the crowd gasped and even caused his mum to cry.
Reminiscent of images of England football defender Terry Butcher, who was similarly soaked during a World Cup qualifier against Sweden in 1989, Curry says the head gash sustained in England’s 44-8 win over France caused him no pain.
The Sale Sharks flanker, aged 20, said: “I didn’t even realise I was bleeding. It wasn’t painful. I thought I was just sweating.
“Then it came up on the screens and the crowd went, ‘Oooh!’
“Everyone said I had to go off for a head injury, but it really didn’t hurt. I didn’t realise and I think I just head-butted the full-back.”
One of identical twins, Curry – who became the youngest England player to start in international for 90 years last summer against South Africa – reveals his mum Susanne shed tears when blood started to spout from her son’s head.
Asked how his family reacted after the game, Curry replied: “My mum’s tears had dried up by then, I think!
“On Tuesday, she was still asking if my head was all right. She’s been trying to get me to wear a scrum cap for 20 years, but everyone is surprised how small the scar is, given how much blood there was!
“I’ve heard about Terry Butcher now. We spoke about him. But if I had been shown a picture I wouldn’t have known that was Terry Butcher. Now I’ve seen the photo, I know!”
Wales, of course, host England next Saturday with both sides eyeing the Six Nations title and a potential Grand Slam, with Eddie Jones and Warren Gatland’s men remaining unbeaten so far in the Championship.