Alex Sanderson dismisses Contepomi's 'bully' claim as Tom Curry earns Dream Team nod amid injury updates

Introduction

In the wake of a tense post-match moment, Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi asserted that England flanker Tom Curry was a "bully." Sale coach Alex Sanderson responds with a pointed, yet measured, rejection of the claim, emphasizing Curry's character and on-field standards.

Disputed claim and reaction

Contepomi's comments followed England's 27-23 victory over Argentina at Allianz Stadium. He also alleged Curry swore and shoved him in the tunnel. When asked for a reaction, Sanderson initially declined to discuss the incident, then described the accusation as "a laughable" remark and said the critique was out of step with the man Curry is on and off the pitch.

Team news and availability

Curry, 27, remains eligible to line up for Sale in Friday's Premiership clash with Exeter. Sanderson indicated he was unaware of any disciplinary process that would rule the back rower out of action, and stressed the club would only address formal proceedings if they arose.

Dream Team honor and resilience

Earlier this week, Curry earned a spot in World Rugby's XV Dream Team for 2025. Sanderson highlighted the milestone as a testament to perseverance after a career-threatening injury and a broken wrist, calling Curry a true competitor who has overcome serious adversity.

Season form and injuries

With England duty behind them, Sale players returned in strong form, following a clean sweep of autumn fixtures against Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina. In other injury news, England and Sharks winger Tom Roebuck is set to miss seven to eight weeks with a broken toe. He will not require surgery but will wear a protective boot.

Meanwhile, Tom Curry's twin brother, Ben Curry, has resumed training after a hamstring problem and is expected to be available for Sale’s next Champions Cup match against Glasgow.

Key Takeaways

• Sanderson dismisses Contepomi's bullying claim as laughable and unfounded.
• Curry is cleared to play, with no disciplinary action reported ahead of Friday's game.
• The World Rugby Dream Team selection underscores Curry's resilience and level of play.
• Roebuck faces 7–8 weeks out with a broken toe; Ben Curry returns to training and could feature soon.

Expert comment

Expert view: A seasoned rugby analyst notes that off-field disputes rarely derail a player's season, pointing to Curry's established leadership and consistency as guiding forces through the noise.

Summary

The incident with Contepomi drew attention, but Sale framed it as a detour rather than a disruption. Curry's ongoing form, the Dream Team honor, and the squad's adjustive injuries shape Sale's near-term plans as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.

Key insight: The focus remains on Tom Curry's elite-level performance and leadership, with the bullying claim dismissed as a non-issue by Sale. BBC Rugby coverage