Bristol Bears have been given an unusual boost ahead of this weekend’s contest with Sale Sharks thanks to some brotherly love.
Some twins are inseparable, and for most of their rugby development that has been the case with backrow dynamos the Currys who both play for Sale and even live together.
At age grade standard it was Ben who led the way, but in the last 18 months Tom has caught the eye of England head coach Eddie Jones and has been a standout player during England’s run to the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday when they play South Africa.
And in an act which reflects the values rugby we all hold dear, Sale Sharks have given permission to Ben to miss Friday’s Gallagher Premiership match with Bristol Bears and fly-out to Japan to be in the stands to watch his brother.
Speaking to BBC Sport , Ben said: "What would I remember when I'm 60, one game against Bristol or my twin playing in a World Cup final - and possibly winning it - with me in Japan.
"When you put it in those terms I thought I had to at least ask.
"At first I felt really guilty about even thinking of going because we had the game against Bristol.
"Then I had a conversation with my parents [who are already out in Japan] and thought it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is bigger than rugby.
"I felt I would regret not going more than I would regret the guilt of going so I thought I had to ask Steve.
"I was so nervous, and I explained the situation, how I was feeling and that I would completely understand if he didn't want me to go because we had a game and that's my job.
"He said 'go for it, pal'. Within half an hour I had my flights booked.”
Curry flew out to Japan on Tuesday morning.
Having players good enough to run out in a World Cup final is normally a big plus for a professional rugby club but Saturday’s conclusion of the tournament is certainly causing more disruption to Sale than Bristol, who have all of their international contingent back with the squad after Samoan and Tonga were knocked out in the group stages.
The one exception is winger Alapati Leiua who is back in Bristol, but sidelined for six weeks after he picked up a knee injury after coming on as a replacement in the Bears’ 43-16 victory over Bath on the opening day of the Gallagher Premiership season.
In contrast the Sharks, in addition now to Ben Curry, are missing four key men in South African scrum half Faf de Klerk, powerful Springbok lock Lood De Jager, outstanding England flanker Tom Curry and summer loan signing Mark Wilson.
Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond has recruited incredibly well ahead of this season and despite the absence of the four world class players the Sharks will still be incredibly dangerous.
But De Klerk is irreplaceable in any side at the moment as one of the best nines in the world, and while former Bristol scrum half Will Cliff and Embrose Papier, who both played in Sales’ 7-41 win over London Irish on Saturday, are both decent Premiership nines they offer nothing like the same threat as the South African maestro does in attack or defence.
Advantage Bristol.
