"In contention" - Manu Tuilagi in line for SHOCK early return - Ruck

“In contention” – Manu Tuilagi in line for SHOCK early return

Eddie Jones has finally been handed an injury boost with Manu Tuilagi in contention four of England’s five Six Nations fixtures.

Sale travel to London to face Harlequins on February 6—the day after England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland—in what could now be a key test of Tuilagi’s fitness.

“Harlequins is the projected return and then we will see how he feels for Six Nations,” Sale boss Alex Sanderson told reporters. “

It is a week-to-week thing for Manu but England have total autonomy over when he plays and doesn’t play and if he looks really good and feels good, he will go straight through to England and it could be Italy.

“He is an exceptional trainer and a quick healer so all of his progressions are done on the back of hitting physiological markers and GPS speeds, rescans and seeing the specialist and we would never push him earlier.

“He is very diligent and is living a very wholesome life at the moment; doesn’t eat much meat, doesn’t got out and has just had a baby boy. All of these things are lending themselves to him pushing through the rehab quicker.”

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All the latest information on injuries and suspensions in the England Six Nations squad, with updates taken directly from Eddie Jones press conferences and interviews.

#1. Owen Farrell

It is understood that Jones is primed to name a new captain next week, with Farrell set to miss the pre-tournament training camp in Brighton and see a specialist to discover the length of his layoff.

Farrell sustained an ankle injury, which required surgery, in England’s second autumn international against Australia, having had to sit out the victory over Tonga due to a false positive test for Covid-19. Considering he has made just five appearances for club and country this season, he is expected to remain with Saracens and continue his rehabilitation for the foreseeable future.

Owen Farrell of England limps off injured during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

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