Manu Tuilagi has credited Jonny Wilkinson with helping him to believe that he would return to rugby better than ever.
After plenty of time on the treatment table, the powerhouse is back starting and finishing matches, back scoring spectacular tries, and back in the England squad.
But in an interview, Tuilagi has revealed he had dark days.
“You always say you will get back, but you have a lot of dark days,” admitted the 27-year old to The Mirror.
“My nature is to always think there will be light at the end of the tunnel, but it has been tough.”
“I looked at Jonny and his comebacks and, yeah, it gave me hope,” said Tuilagi, who also had monthly sessions with sports psychologist Matt Thombs. “I just hope it’s going to be like that for me!”