Join RUCK\u2019s Instagram broadcast channel <\/a>and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.<\/p>\nThe timing of the camp has drawn criticism, with only two rounds of the PREM Rugby regular season remaining. Some have pointed to injuries such as Curry\u2019s as avoidable and reflective of the ongoing club-versus-country tension.<\/p>\n
Sanderson confirmed Curry\u2019s symptoms have not worsened, but the flanker must complete the mandatory 12-day stand-down period. He is expected to return for next week\u2019s season finale against Bristol Bears.<\/p>\n
Sale still have plenty to play for, with victory this weekend against Newcastle Red Bulls effectively securing Champions Cup qualification, making Curry\u2019s absence particularly untimely. <\/p>\n
Addressing the injury, Sanderson said: \u201cI\u2019m always frustrated when a player gets injured on someone else\u2019s time.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019m not frustrated at the nature of the injury. I don\u2019t think it was intentional, malicious, it\u2019s just one of those things that does happen in a higher pressured environment\u2026 injuries occur. It\u2019s just part of managing those elite level players that are in and out of internationals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked whether England head coach Steve Borthwick had been in contact following the incident, Sanderson said he had not, but stressed the pair still maintain a strong relationship. <\/p>\n
He also argued that the intensity of alignment camps naturally increases injury risk because players are eager to impress.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe hasn\u2019t been in contact recently, he has been in contact regularly,\u201d Sanderson said. \u201cI\u2019ve got a better relationship with Steve probably than what I had when we were coaching or playing together\u2026 I\u2019ve got a lot of respect for him, and Wiggy [Richard Wigglesworth] for that matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s necessarily on the content of the sessions, I think it\u2019s more around the players understanding the levels of intensity and physicality\u2026 everyone\u2019s looking to prove themselves above another.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sanderson also backed the England coaching staff to manage players responsibly moving forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe actual knowledge and ability within that coaching team\u2026 to understand how to manage a group of players and not injure them needlessly, I am confident in them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Northampton Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson has been more critical of the alignment camp after scrum-half Alex Mitchell suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, saying that training volume at the end of the season is something to be discussed.<\/p>\n
While Sanderson acknowledged those frustrations, particularly given the importance of the closing fixtures for Saints particularly, he noted that Prem directors of rugby had already agreed to the timing of the camps in advance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it was a game of greater consequence\u2026 I\u2019d be almost beside myself in terms of the timing of it,\u201d he admitted.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the DoRs agree and sign to when these alignment camps take place\u2026 You can\u2019t go back and say that it shouldn\u2019t be at a time because everyone had their moment to put their point across. You can\u2019t have your cake and eat it.\u201d<\/p>\n
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