Sale Sharks boss Steve Diamond has responded to reports that powerhouse centre Manu Tuilagi could depart the club in 2021 when his contract expires.
The 29-year-old, who moved to the North West following his dramatic exit from Leicester Tigers, is reportedly being lined up to join Racing 92 in the TOP14 ahead of the 2020/21 season.
Tuilagi had a tour of the Parisians training ground in 2019, but ultimately stayed at Leicester Tigers to continue his international career.
Racing are now ready to renew their efforts to sign the powerhouse with a multie-million pound deal, while Top14 rivals Montpellier are also on the hunt for a new centre..
When asked about the rumours regarding the 44-cap centres contract, Diamond revealed there has been ‘no chat’ over extending his contract, which expires at the end of the 2020/21 season..
He added: “Their will be no chat until after Christmas.”
Elsewhere, there have been a number of reports that Sale are interested in France international Virimi Vakatawa as a replacement if Tuilagi doesn’t renew his contract.
DID YOU KNOW? Tuilagi became England’s youngest RWC player at 20 years and 115 days against Argentina, being 15 days younger than Jonny Wilkinson, who set the record in 1999.
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LIST | 5 England players who could swap nations for 2023 World Cup
Sir Bill Beaumont has hit back in the World Rugby election race and revealed he wants to create a law change that would allow Manu Tuilagi and other England stars to end their Test career playing for other nations.
The former England captain raised the possibility in his re-election manifesto ahead of next month’s contest with former Argentina scrum-half Agustin Pichot.
In it he promises a review of Regulation 8 which covers eligibility to play for national teams “to see how we can support the longevity of players’ international careers”.
Based on this, we’ve looked at some other current England stars who could head to the 2023 Rugby World Cup to represent other nations.
We’ve not included Billy Vunipola, as we think he is likely to be still in the reckoning for England in three years time.
1. Manu Tuilagi (Samoa)
- Current number of caps: 41
- Age at the start of RWC 2023: 32
- Did you know: He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team
The England centre, who was born in Fogapoa and came to the UK at the age of 13, is one of a clutch of Pacific Island players whose eligibility status could change if the restrictions are relaxed. He is the younger brother of Freddie, Henry, Alesana, Anitelea and Sanele Vavae Tuilagi, all of whom are Samoan internationals and also played for Leicester. It would be fantastic for the powerhouse to complete the set.