TOM Curry has been backed to make an England comeback.

The Bishop Heber School educated back row made his comeback at the weekend after last being in action in October 2023.

Curry had not played since England’s bronze medal win over Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France but made his return in Sale’s 31-23 Premiership semi-final defeat to Bath on Saturday.

A few weeks after returning from the global showpiece, he was immobilised during a Sale training session and underwent major hip surgery which resulted in his lengthy spell on the sidelines.

On Saturday, he came off the bench in early in the second half and put in a huge shift during a 33-minute stint.

And despite his side’s defeat, head of rugby Alex Sanderson could not hide his delight when asked to give his take on Curry’s return to action.

“How good, how good,” he said. “Just straight back into it and he probably could have started today but it’s not really fair starting him when he has had seven months out."

With England set to return to action later this month against Japan in Tokyo, and with Tests against the All Blacks taking place in Dunedin and Auckland on July 6 and 13 respectively, Sanderson backed Curry for a call up.

He said: “It’s not down to me. I want Tom to have a healthy and long international career and everyone is aware of the fact that it’s not the years, it’s the mileage with Tom, that he has only got a certain number of games.

“So how they use his games to the best end is down to them and their management. There is a World Cup in three years. He is moving really well and he is a big leader, and I’m sure they will build the team around him because he is that type of person and a player.”