Ex-England star Manu Tuilagi provides update on playing for Samoa at 2027 Rugby World Cup

Tuilagi last wore the famous rose in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Bronze Final, as England triumphed over Argentina 26-23 to take home the medals. The powerhouse midfielder officially left the England books at the end of the 2023/24 season, as Tuilagi departed Sale Sharks for a new home in the French Top 14.

At 34-years-old, there's no denying that Tuilagi is heading towards the end of his career, yet the centre is hitting his stride with a rejuvenated run of form with Aviron Bayonnais. Having been named in the Top 14 Team of the Season for an outstanding run throughout the 2024/25 campaign, the conversation has been reignited around whether Manu will now follow the footsteps of his brothers Henry, Freddie, Alesana, Anitelea and Sanale Vavae who have all represented the Pacific Island nation.

Tuilagi addressed the speculation at the EPCR Investec Champions Cup season launch, where he spoke with the media on behalf of Bayonne. The former England bruiser started off with a joke, as he wanted to find out who had first gotten the rumour mill spinning;

"I did see that, I did see that. The quote that I never said! I was wondering who wrote it, I would quite like to talk to him again, because I remember when Samoa got qualified, it was all over the social media. You know, for me, it's still a long way away, and I don't know if I'll be able to make it that far."

"For me, I don't know. It's different between being interested and to be able to compete. You know, it's a World Cup, it's not a club competition. If you want to go, you're gonna make sure you go there to compete, not just go for for the 'craic'."

Whether Tuilagi will follow in the path of his many siblings and represent Manu Samoa still remains to be seen, yet the possibility of swapping nations has become all the more of a reality for numerous Pacific Island stars. Samoa have welcomed the likes of former All Black out-half Lima Sopoanga, ex-Wallabies linchpin Christian Leal'i'fano and one-capped England international Jacob Umaga to Tusi Pisi's side.

Tuilagi told RUCK that he had not been in conversation with any Samoan internationals of the sorts, as the ex-England man revealed that he had been back to Twickenham throughout the Autumn Nations Series. Speaking in the Lensbury Resort in Teddington, who's training pitches are so often used by the England team and their weekly opponents, Tuilagi recalled how he's been enjoying this trip down memory lane throughout November, and which centres have been impressing him for England.

"Some good and bad memories [of the Lensbury]. Good memories of walking in here after pre-season out there on the field. But it's nice to be back, it's nice to see all our boys,"

"I was over [at Twickenham] for a couple of games, the Fiji and New Zealand games, and I was very impressed. For me, looking at what Steve's [Borthwick] trying to build, some depth in the squad. Now, I think we've always struggled a bit with the depth of our squad, but we look at that and in every position, especially in the centres, there's some great competitions there.

"We've Ollie [Lawrence], [Henry] Sladey as well, [Max] Ojomoh as well in the last game, and [Fraser] Dingwall. Now they're looking at bringing [Tommy] Freeman in as well, which, for me, is exciting. I think Steve is looking at the World Cup. That is the end goal. But in terms of the squad, it's so exciting."

Whilst Tuilagi expressed his admiration of Borthwick midfield contingency from afar, the former wrecking ball of the Test match stage has no intentions to get back in a white jersey anytime soon.

"No [England return]. For me, going to Twickenham now is so nice. Go to chill out, see the fans and then watch the game and see the boys after. But to see the boys put in that huge performance against New Zealand was amazing."