Curry and Jibulu return as Sanderson considers Roebuck at centre again for Sale finale

Tom Curry and Nathan Jibulu are set to return to the Sale Sharks squad for their final Gallagher Premiership match of the season against Bristol Bears at the AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday, 6 June, head coach Alex Sanderson confirmed. Curry has been sidelined since picking up an injury during the Six Nations, managing only 41 minutes of action against Leicester Tigers before suffering a further setback at an England alignment camp, but has now cleared return-to-play protocols.

Jibulu’s return comes after he completed a six-week suspension imposed following his admission of biting Harlequins prop Will Hobson during Sale’s Champions Cup last-16 victory at the Twickenham Stoop on 4 April. Luke James is also back in contention, giving Sanderson a fuller squad to work with heading into the end-of-season fixture.

“We’ve got a few lads coming back into the squad. Jibulu is back, Tom Curry is back, and Luke James is back. That bolsters the squad up, whether they’re starting or on the bench. It’s a bit more experience there and a bit more bang,” Sanderson said.

Sale will be looking to sign off a difficult campaign on a positive note. The Sharks have won only four Premiership matches this season, and face a Bristol side that was knocked out of top-four contention last weekend.

One of the more intriguing selection questions surrounds Tom Roebuck, who shifted from his usual wing berth to outside centre in last weekend’s 45-42 defeat to Newcastle Red Bulls, scoring a try in the process. Sanderson was forced into the positional change due to the absences of Rob du Preez and Marius Louw, but was sufficiently impressed to consider repeating it.

“He’s big and physical and has obviously got speed. He is good in the air, but has now got to a stage where he’s very comfortable in the wide channels at winger, and moving one in,” Sanderson said. “Tom’s still able to make those reads, and he’s got the foot speed to be able to go and push out the back, turn and burn and catch people on those long bridge balls. So he’s got all the requisites, and he’s smart enough to be able to adapt to that position.”

Sanderson added that Roebuck appeared comfortable with the increased ball involvement the role brought. “I thought he was quite happy with the number of touches he got on the ball as well. So, it could well be that he’ll play there again.”

Bristol arrive having also missed out on the play-offs, meaning Saturday’s contest carries no league-position implications for either side, though both clubs will be eager to end their respective campaigns with a win.