Tom Curry injury leaves England awaiting fitness decision before Australia Test

Tom Curry is a major injury doubt for England's match against Australia on Sunday after reportedly being hurt in training on Wednesday, according to the Guardian. The setback leaves head coach Steve Borthwick facing another possible absence in a back row already missing Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill for the autumn campaign.

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The Guardian reported that Curry's injury occurred during a full-contact session, with Borthwick due to announce his team on Friday afternoon. The report did not specify the nature of the injury or a recovery timetable. Curry had not been definitively ruled out, so his availability remained unresolved ahead of the selection announcement.

His twin brother Ben is reported to be the leading candidate for the openside position. Ben has not started an England match since the summer tour of Argentina and the United States in 2025, and has since dealt with long-term hamstring problems. The Guardian said Borthwick continues to rate him highly despite that disrupted period.

Tom has recently been deployed by England as a substitute, but the injuries to Pepper and Underhill had increased expectations that he would start during November. He also brings experience of succeeding against this opponent: the Guardian highlighted his performance in the British & Irish Lions' first-Test victory over Australia in Brisbane last summer. His possible absence therefore comes with England's other established back-row options already reduced.

The latest concern follows injuries to two other players during England's preparations. Kepu Tuipulotu and Archie McParland were both hurt at the previous week's mini-camp and have been ruled out of contention for this weekend, the Guardian reported. Those absences are confirmed in the report, unlike Tom Curry's status, which remained a doubt rather than a settled withdrawal.

Henry Pollock and Greg Fisilau are among the other options available to Borthwick and could be considered for places on the replacements bench if Curry cannot play. Neither a starting role for Ben nor those bench selections had been announced. Friday's team release is the next scheduled selection update as England prepare to begin their autumn programme against the Wallabies.