London (AFP) - Tom Curry is facing a race against time to be fit for England's Six Nations opener against Scotland next month after suffering a hamstring strain in Sale's 24-16 win away to Harlequins in the Premiership on Sunday.
Curry gave new England coach Steve Borthwick, waiting to find out if fly-half Owen Farrell will be cited, something else to worry about ahead of a February 4 clash against Scotland at Twickenham when he limped off in the 16th minute after his right leg was trapped awkwardly during a tackle by Wilco Louw.
"Even if a hamstring injury is the lowest grade, they're generally two to three weeks," said Sale supremo Alex Sanderson.
"He'll get a scan.He's walking around and it's stiffened up now.It's not one of those where he limped off the field so fingers crossed he will be available against Scotland."
Despite losing Curry early on at a rain-sodden Twickenham Stoop, the visitors still established a 14-6 half-time lead following tries from Tom O'Flaherty and Rob du Preez.
Joe Marchant went over to raise the spirits of title contenders Quins but tries from Sale forwards Akker van der Merwe and Cobus Wiese ensured the London club suffered a third successive league defeat.
Sunday's other top-flight match saw London Irish overpower bottom-of-the-table Bristol 23-7, with the visitors now two points adrift of 10th-placed Bath at the foot of the standings.
The Exiles ran in tries from Benhard van Rensburg and Ben White, with Rory Jennings converting both scores and also kicking three penalties.
All Bristol could manage in reply was a Harry Thacker try converted by AJ MacGinty.
One consolation for the southwest club is that there is no relegation from the Premiership this season -- a decision taken even before Wasps and Worcester were relegated from England's top flight for entering administration.
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