SALE SHARKS ace Manu Tuilagi has once again been linked with three Top 14 giants with the centre out of contract in 2023.
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 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.
DID YOU KNOW? He 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
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.”
