Ulster started their Heineken Champions Cup Pool B campaign in disappointing fashion as they slumped to a 39-0 loss over to Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Six different try-scorers crossed for Sale, captain for the day Rob du Preez converting three of them, while their Irish visitors drew a blank on a tough afternoon
The most controversial moment from the game came through Andy Warwick, who somehow avoided a card for a tackle on English international Manu Tuilagi.
It was an incident that very much split opinion on social media.
One fan wrote: “I accept its Tuilagi who initiates contact but Warwick is simply too high. It’s a half arsed crouch. Tuilagi’s height is consistent and the reason we’re left with a head on head scenario with a bucket of blood is because of Warwick’s height.”
A second commented: “Doesn’t Manu initiate the contact by leading with his head into a stationary opponent.”
Another said: “Anyone who thinks this is Manus fault I challenge you to run at speed and not lean forwards from the waist / head forwards. Rugby incident but head on head suggests it’s reviewed as foul play.”
A fourth wrote: “So tackling players can now just stand and hit head on head off the attacking player? Ridiculous referee decision as the tackling player has to drop to tackle lower.”
The incident:
Tuilagi’s future:
Tuilagi, who is set to leave the North West next June when his contract expires, is very keen on a move to Racing 92 following one last crack at the Rugby World Cup with England.
The powerhouse , who actually 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.
However, reports in France suggest former England boss Stuart Lancaster could come back in for the powerhouse with Toulon and Toulouse also interested in the 50-cap centre.
The Parisians were willing to pay Tuilagi around £830,000 per year back in 2019, which is more than twice what Sale are currently shelling out for him.
Tuilagi, who actually 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 Japan and the USA, who would see Tuilagi as a marquee signing.
Manu Tuilagi FACTS:
- His full name is Etuale Manusamoa Tuilagi and he was given Manusamoa after the Samoan rugby team. This is because his elder brother Freddie was selected for his country’s World Cup squad in 1991 – the year Tuilagi was born
- In June 2010, Tuilagi faced possible deportation from the UK after it became known that he had entered the country on a holiday visa six years earlier and had stayed on illegally. After an appeal, he was later granted indefinite leave to remain
- 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. He has another sibling, Julie, who is fa’afafine (people who identify as having a third gender in Samoa)
- He and his partner Chantelle have two children together, daughter Leilani Lea’auta and son Leo Vavae.
Six player dubbed ‘the next Manu Tuilagi’ by the Telegraph
Telegraph scribe Ben Coles has made it his mission to discover who can replace Manu Tuilagi in the England team as the powerhouse continues to be hampered by injury.
They’ve analysed the possible alternatives, from an ‘admittedly shallow pool;, to add some thrust back into England’s unbalanced midfield.
#1. Mark Atkinson (Gloucester)
- Height and weight: 6ft 6in, 16st 9lbs
- England caps: 1
They said: “The most realistic option, given he has been in Jones’ squad both in the autumn and during the Six Nations. Atkinson is a far more subtle player than his frame may suggest, and that works in his favour.”
#2. Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs)
- Height and weight: 6ft 4in, 15st 5lbs
- England caps: 2
They wrote: “Most of Devoto’s try-scoring for Exeter recently has showcased his good work running support lines rather than bashing through tackles”
