Tom Wood has labelled fellow England flanker Tom Curry as a “warrior” and believes the youngster will continue to deliver for the national side.
Northampton Saint Wood, who has a half-century of caps for his country, has been impressed by the form of 20-year-old Curry in this year’s Six Nations.
Curry started in England’s 32-20 Dublin demolition of Ireland a fortnight ago and was a standout performer in the 44-8 trouncing of France at Twickenham on Saturday.
Playing at openside Curry had to leave the field in the second half to stitch up a deep gash on his forehead, only to return to complete the rest of the emphatic victory.
“I think both Curry brothers are very combative players and I think Tom for England has been exceptional,” commented Wood.
“Even a year ago in Argentina he was brilliant and for England just recently he’s been a very good all-round player.
“I’m not sure he always gets the credit for some of his ball-carrying work because he’s thought of as someone who gets over the ball.
“You saw him at the weekend with the blood pouring down his face, you can see what a competitor and what a warrior he is.
“I think there’s a lot more to come from both brothers and I also think Mark Wilson’s doing a fantastic job in the back row at the moment as well – I really rate him as a player.”
Wood, 32, has been an England regular up until 2017 and won’t have given up on hope of making England’s Rugby World Cup squad later this year, and is currently one of Northampton’s senior players in the Gallagher Premiership.
England’s resurgence since the 2018 Six Nations can surely only add to the motivation to be involved in the national setup, with Wood anticipating a big game in Cardiff next for the team.
“To back up what they did away in Ireland was a big ask and there was always a chance that France, coming off the back of their slip up against Wales, would come all guns blazing,” added Wood, speaking at an event where Northampton Outlaws won an appearance from Saints by describing how their team embodies the spirit of rugby, both on and off the pitch, and helps grow game the locally; organised by Gallagher as part of its ‘Heroes of the Game’ campaign.
“There was a chance England would have a tiny bit of complacency and falter but that didn’t happen.
“Under Eddie Jones and with Owen Farrell leading we’ve got a real driven and humble mindset and a grounded approach to the game.
“It bodes well moving forward but Wales in Cardiff will be a hell of an atmosphere and challenge!”
Tom Wood was speaking at a Gallagher ‘Train with your Heroes’ session with Northampton Outlaws after they won a nationwide competition launched by Gallagher, a passionate community insurance broker and proud title partner of Premiership Rugby.
