Sale Sharks twins will peak for England, says Dave Seymour

(Photo: Getty Images)

By Jon Newcombe

NEWLY-RETIRED Sale flanker Dave Seymour has backed Ben Curry to join his identical twin brother Tom as a fully-fledged England international in the not-too distant future.

Tom became the youngest forward capped by England in the post-War era when he made his debut against Argentina in San Juan last summer, five days before he turned 19, while Ben travelled with the squad but did not see any action due to a back spasm.

Since then, a dislocated wrist has stymied Tom’s progress, potentially opening the door for his sibling to step into the back row, but England chose to name Ben in the U20s squad for the Six Nations instead.

But Seymour believes it is only a matter of time before England has its first capped pair of twins.

He said: “I think it will be a battle to see who gets the most caps. Ben has been outstanding in all competitions. His performances week-in week-out have deserved a place in the Six Nations squad in my opinion, and I feel for him that he wasn’t included.

“Tom was injured a couple of months ago but the development they have had just this season alone is quite incredible and I can’t see it being long before Ben gets a cap to go alongside Tom’s.”

Seymour, a veteran of nearly 200 Premiership games over the course of 13 seasons at Saracens and then Sale, has advised the ultra-competitive pair to pace themselves if they are to enjoy the same longevity of service.

“Their work rate is unbelievable and they are so competitive. If one thinks the other one’s technique is wrong they’ll soon tell him and that builds the level of competition even more.

“They are both so hungry to learn and get better but I’ve said to not burn themselves out. I told Tom when he did his wrist to enjoy the time away because it might not happen again and it’s going to be pretty full-on.”

The emergence of the Curry twins, still only 19, and other young back rowers such as Cam Neild and Sam Moore helped make Seymour’s decision to retire a lot easier.

Playing opportunities have been hard to come by for the 33-year-old openside who believes the time was right for him to step aside and concentrate on his coffee business, Crouch, Grind, Coffee.

“This is the first time in 14 years that I haven’t had as much game time as I’d have liked – that’s how it was in 2004 when I first started playing at Sarries.

“We’ve got a lot of youngsters in the back row so I felt now was the right time to step away from it. I’m still in good nick and I suppose I’m one of the lucky ones not to have to call time because of injury. Now I can throw everything into my coffee business.”

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Tagged Ben Curry, Sale, Sale Sharks, Tom Curry