Young Gun: James Currie – Worcester prop

With a childhood spent exploring the Amazon rainforests, not much will faze Worcester prop James Currie as he navigates the Premiership jungle.
Currie – who grew up in French Guiana because of his father’s job in the French Foreign Legion – broke into the Warriors’ LV= Cup side last season and now has his sights set on further appearances.
Under the tutelage of former England prop Phil Vickery, the 22-year-old tighthead hopes to emulate the breakthrough successes of Saracens’ Mako Vunipola and Sale’s Henry Thomas – the latest front row products from his alma mater at Millfield School.
“It’s good to see all the Millfield boys in the Premiership. You see Mako and Henry Thomas – who was two years below me – doing well and getting into the England set-up.
“There are young props coming through into the international team and I want to be part of it.”
While most kids might spend their summers in France or Spain, Currie – who considered a career in the Marines – was in the South American jungle with his dad.
With French his first language, Currie adapted well to life back in the UK in 2001 and rugby at Devonport High School.
It paid off and Currie is keen to combine both skills one day – crossing the Channel to play rugby in the Top 14.
“It was a normal childhood for most of the year, and then in the holidays I went and did some cool stuff with my dad in the jungle,” said Currie. “He’d take me out on an inflatable boat down the rivers and we’d cruise around.
“I didn’t start playing rugby until I was back in England, I started getting too big for football and they moved me across to the rugby team.
“Growing up in different places, with different languages, moving around doesn’t faze me. With my French it definitely made me want to play overseas – I love Mediterranean culture and I’d love to play in the south of France one day.”
Whilst playing for the England U15’s Currie was picked up by Millfield, where he was mentored by ex-Bath tighthead John Mallett, and given the 1st XV captaincy.
Currie starred at age-group level for England, picking up caps at U15, U16 and U18 and is hungry to follow the new Warriors forwards coach Phil Vickery into the England team.
He said: “I look at Phil Vickery as someone who has been there and done it – that’s what I want. I want to play for England and the Lions. When Vickery talks, everyone listens. I’m looking forward to picking his brain this year.
“I’ve got everything I need to be successful – now it’s down to me.”
His Premiership dreams looked to have been cut short when, having graduated Bath’s academy, two shoulder operations sidelined him and the club released him in 2010, a year into his contract.
Returning home to the South-west, with Cornish Pirates, Currie came back stronger than ever – and his performances in the Championship turned the head of Worcester head coach Richard Hill.
“I got my form back and learnt to surf, but it was great being back in the Premiership,” said Currie.
“I got a lot of game time last season – it was my first year but they trusted me enough to pick me. I was really grateful. If I work off my goals for this pre-season, then the season, the next stage is England.”