- Tom Curry has been picked to face Japan at Twickenham on Sunday
- His selection comes just two weeks after he was knockout out against Australia
- Steve Borthwick has insisted he isn’t putting Curry’s health at risk by picking him
England coach Steve Borthwick defended his decision to select Tom Curry after coming under fire from a leading neuroscientist.
Curry was knocked out during last week’s defeat by Australia and has been drafted back into England’s team after completing his 12-day stand-down period on Thursday.
The flanker has cleared all the medical checks to play against Japan but Dr Willie Stewart, who used to advise World Rugby, still criticised the decision.
‘At a time when we are making great progress in UK wide concussion management across grassroot sport it is so important this progress isn’t undermined by elite sport focusing on results over welfare,’ said Stewart. ‘Unfortunately, some sports just seem unable to read the room or recognise damage their actions can lead to, both for individual players and wider (particularly youth) participants and participation.’
Curry has been selected ahead of Chandler Cunningham-South as England plot to end their run of five defeats.
Borthwick said: ‘I let my head of medical deal with the exact details of it but these are all documented from World Rugby in terms of their return to play protocol.
‘Every player is always treated on an individual basis and there are certain protocols. Manny [Feyi-Waboso] was unavailable for selection because he wasn’t ready. And then there’s a conversation with Tom, a player I have so much respect for, about what he wants to do. He’s a player who is desperate to play this weekend.’
Eddie Jones, who now coaches Japan, will return to Twickenham for the first time since he was sacked by England in 2022.
He missed Friday’s press conference due to illness but his assistant Neal Hatley claimed the Australian will recover in time for the fixture.
‘He’ll be there with bells on on Sunday,’ said Hatley. ‘You’ve known him long enough to know that he’s not missing this. It’s just a precaution. He’ll be fine for the game, no problems.’
