England may have finally found their long-term Manu Tuilagi replacement in Harlequins powerhouse centre Lennox Anyanwu.
The 21-year-old, who picked up another man of the match award as Quins survived a late fightback to beat an error-prone Northampton Saints 35-29 at Twickenham Stoop, is an outstanding talent.
Anyanwu has started the season on fire, averaging 6.5 metres per carry and scoring two tries already this season.
The young Londoner, who spent last season on loan for Richmond, has grabbed his first-team opportunity with both hands while André Esterhuizen is away with South Africa for The Rugby Championship.
He’s now being tipped for an England call ahead of the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.
One fan wrote: “Toot toot! The Lennox Anyanwu for England hype train has left the station and I am driving.”
“He looks the real deal. Would love to see him in an England shirt very, very soon,” said a second.
Tuilagi is likely to head overseas following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, making England’s search for a long-term replacement more pressing than ever.
The powerhouse was very keen on a move to Racing 92 but the Top 14 side has gone cold on a potential move as they’re looking to sign All Blacks star Beauden Barrett.
The Parisians were willing to pay Tuilagi around £830,000 per year back in 2019, which was more than twice what Sale is currently shelling out for him.
Tuilagi, who had a tour of their training ground when the previous offer was on the table, was only stopped from joining after crisis talks with England boss Eddie Jones.
There is also considerable interest from clubs in the USA, but a side from the Japanese top division is now the favourite to land the powerhouse centre.
DID YOU KNOW? He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team, Manu Samoa, because his brother Freddie was selected for Samoa at the World Cup in 1991, the year Manu was born
ANYANWU TRY AGAINST SAINTS:
ANYANWU TRY AGAINST NEWCASTLE:
England’s 2023 Rugby World Cup squad according to the bookies
Props (5):
- Ellis Genge 1/50
- Kyle Sinckler 1/10
- Mako Vunipola 1/5
- Will Stuart 1/3
- Joe Marler 2/5
Hookers (3):
- Jamie George 1/14
- Luke Cowan-Dickie 1/6
- Jamie Blamire 5/6
