Tom Curry signs two-year Sale extension but long-term future remains open

Tom Curry has signed a new two-year contract with Sale Sharks, committing the England and British & Irish Lions back-row to the club until at least 2029, head coach Alex Sanderson confirmed.

Curry, 28, had entered the final year of his previous deal in July, but Sale moved quickly to retain one of their most important players. The versatile back-row was diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome — a career-threatening hip condition — and required surgery to address recurring pain around the joint. Sanderson says the 28-year-old has since defied medical expectations in his recovery.

“He’s surpassing expectations, his own medical expectations and what’s gone before him in terms of the injury that he had,” Sanderson said. “We’re not seeing any signs of wear and tear at this point. He’s as fresh and as mobile as he’s ever been.”

The two-year length of the deal was shaped in part by Curry’s own desire to ensure he is physically capable of honouring his commitments. Sanderson confirmed that both club and player will reassess the situation at the end of the contract, with a shared ambition for Curry to see out his career at the AJ Bell Stadium.

“The terms are, it’s a couple of years. And that’s on Tom’s desire to ensure that he’s physically in the best spot to be able to honour his contract to play. Then we both said we’ll see where his body’s at at that point. We both desire him to finish his career at Sale,” Sanderson said.

Sanderson also highlighted Curry’s influence beyond his on-field contributions, pointing to his role in keeping the squad together during a difficult period in the England camp. “He was the one, after some of the really honest conversations, that said we need to keep the core group together. He’s fundamental to us, really the keystone to that core group.”

Despite Sale suffering a defeat at the weekend, Sanderson was encouraged by Curry’s workload and physical output. “He had a lot of involvement, and he worked the hardest of all the forwards. His capacity to work is right back where it needs to be.”