#3. Manu Tuilagi
The dominant centre has remained on the sidelines throughout the 2024 Six Nations, signaling a potential conclusion to his England tenure as he gears up for a move to the Top 14 with Montpellier.
The youngest of six brothers in the Samoan rugby dynasty to have played for Leicester Tigers, Manu Tuilagi qualified for England on three years’ residency and wasted no time in making an indelible impression.
Manu rose through the England age group ranks, playing for the U16 and U18 teams. Four of his older siblings, Fereti (Freddie), Henry, Alesana (Alex) and Anitelea (Andy) have represented Samoa but Manu’s allegiance lies with England. He 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.
Injury robbed him of more time in the England shirt, but he featured in five Tests in 2019, scoring two tries against Italy in the Six Nations, his first home score since 2013. He scored England’s try in the memorable 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand. He feature in the 2023 Guinness Six Nations and was recently named in Steve Borthwick’s squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
