Rugby

Rugby World Cup: England without Three Key Players against Japan Because of Suspensions

AP Photo/Daniel Cole
England’s Tom Curry, center left, clashes heads with Argentina’s Juan Cruz Mallia, for which he got a red card, during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Argentina in the Stade de Marseille, Marseille, France Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023.

11:13 JST, September 13, 2023

PARIS (AP) — England flanker Tom Curry was handed a two-game ban at the Rugby World Cup on Tuesday following his sending-off for a dangerous tackle in the team’s opening pool game against Argentina.

Curry was too upright when tackling Juan Cruz Mallia as the Argentina fullback was coming down from a leaping catch in the third minute. They collided heads and referee Mathieu Raynal initially yellow-carded Curry before it was upgraded to red after a bunker review.

At a virtual disciplinary committee hearing, the panel said the offense carried a sanction of six matches which was reduced to three because of mitigating factors such as his admission of guilt, exemplary disciplinary record and apology. Curry only has to serve a ban for the first two matches — against Japan on Sept. 17 and Chile on Sept. 23 — provided he completes a coaching intervention program, which intends to undertake.

That means he would be free to play against Samoa in Lille on Oct. 7, England’s final game in Pool D.

England is already without two key players — captain Owen Farrell and No. 8 Billy Vunipola — against Japan because of suspensions.

England at least has the satisfaction of knowing its defensive leader will be available for the knockout phase if, as expected, the team advances out of the pool in the wake of beating Argentina 27-10.

Curry’s ban is regarded by some as an example of the inconsistency of rugby’s disciplinary process, given South Africa center Jesse Kriel escaped punishment for his head-on-head collision with Jack Dempsey of Scotland on Sunday.

It is a cruel development for Curry. He was just three minutes into making his first appearance under coach Steve Borthwick, having recovered from hamstring and ankle injuries.