England have insisted they have no concerns about Tom Curry returning to the squad for the game against Japan after the flanker suffered a second concussion of the season.
Curry was absent in the loss to South Africa after appearing to be knocked out against Australia 10 days ago during an attempted tackle on Rob Valetini.
The 26-year-old suffered a head injury in mid-September while playing for Sale Sharks, his fifth concussion in two years, after also overcoming a career-threatening hip problem earlier in the season. ‘year.
The flank appears to be able to play against Japan on Sunday after following all return-to-play protocols.
But England assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge admitted they are working on Curry’s technique to ensure he stays safe in contact.
“There isn’t a coach on the planet who isn’t desperately concerned about the welfare of the players he coaches,” Strawbridge said. “He has followed all existing protocols and we are making finer adjustments to how he makes contact – on both sides of the ball – to ensure his safety. He is 100 percent fit, healthy and ready to leave.
“There are certain fundamental aspects to contact [that we are working on]. Some of the bravest men are among the most at risk, so how can we mitigate the risk? How do I get him to find his shoulder instead of a head?
“It’s very small things, it’s not a major change in a man’s game. There are a few small issues that will put his shoulder in the game, which is what we all want, and get his head out of the game, if possible. There is no major problem at all. He is a very courageous player.
Five consecutive defeats have put pressure on England as they face a familiar foe in former coach Eddie Jones as he takes Japan to Twickenham on Sunday.
Although Steve Borthwick is secure in his role for now, a shock defeat in late November could make his position untenable.
Strawbridge, originally from Hamilton in New Zealand, is the only outside voice on an otherwise English coaching staff and also serves as an advisor, “helping the coaches coach” since arriving for an initial stint of advice during the Six Nations.
The veteran almost joined Borthwick while the former lock was in charge of Leicester Tigers and highly rates his coaching qualities.
“He did very well,” Strawbridge said. “He stayed focused on the task at hand and that makes a group of players grow.
“He has real clarity on how he wants to play. I’m not a party line person, so the fact that he’s happy to have someone like me around and scratch any wound or tackle something says it all. long on him and his strengths.
“When I was going to work at Leicester, I made sure that the conversations we had about our form were stimulating. That he could deal with that, not let it unsettle him, but also not give in to anything that I thought, was a good compromise. I think we’re getting better at the give and take game. The other day we were talking about disagreement and commitment. This authenticity is something I respect.
Strawbridge’s last role was with the All Blacks, with the former Waikato director of rugby called in to help under-fire Ian Foster during a lean spell for New Zealand.
Before a match against South Africa at Ellis Park in August 2022, Foster was informed that he was unlikely to continue in his role if New Zealand lost to the Springboks. Foster’s team was victorious and he led the team to a World Cup final just over a year later.
“I don’t think the heat [here] Honestly, it’s not more or less than ever in Test rugby,” Strawbridge admitted when reflecting on his various coaching experiences. “Ian Foster went to South Africa [in 2022] he was told he was expected to resign after the second Test. It’s the heat. It’s fucking hot. He handled this very well, with maturity; back-to-the-wall stuff.
“I don’t compare environments, that’s not my job. My job is to help and assist. You can’t afford to focus too much on the outside: we have things to do here. You can’t take your eyes off the ball. That’s a bit like being a coach. If we start to feel the heat too much and let that change our behaviors or if we are in true north, then we are not doing our job.