Manu Tuilagi says he is “fit and ready to go” for England if he isn’t called up by British & Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland.
Tuilagi will start his first game for more than eight months when Sale Sharks host fellow Premiership semi-final qualifiers Harlequins on Friday.
The England centre, 30, who has not played international rugby since March last year, said: “I am fit and ready to go.
“If I get given the opportunity, it’s always an honour. Eddie has been pretty good at keeping in touch”
However, he may not play for England this summer as Gatland contemplates calling Tuilagi up following an injury to Chris Harris, according to The Times.
Either way, we should see the powerhouse centre finally return to test rugby, and that can only be a good thing.
DID YOU KNOW? Manu Tuilagi 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.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Dylan Hartley picks TWO England stars in his Lions front-row
- Ugo Monye leaves Curry and Itoje out of his World XV
- Eddie Jones confirms likely England captain for summer tour
- These five England youngsters were tipped for stardom in 2015
- Jonny Wilkinson picks his dream backline – and includes himself
How the Lions will line-up for first test, according to Sky Bet
Odds are accurate on Saturday, 29th May, 8pm, and are subject to change in the run up to the first test.
BACK-THREE:
- 15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland) – 1/7
- 14. Anthony Watson (England) – 8/15
- 11. Josh Adams (Wales) – 11/10
CENTRES:
- 13. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) – 1/16
- 12. Owens Farrell (England) – 4/11
