Manu Tuilagi (Samoa)
On 18 May 1991, Tuilagi entered the world in Fogapoa, Samoa. He’s the younger sibling of Freddie, Henry, Alesana, Anitelea, and Sanele Vavae Tuilagi, all of whom not only represented Samoa on the international rugby stage but also donned the Leicester jersey.
His name, Manusamoa, reflects his family’s deep connection with the Samoan national rugby team, Manu Samoa. This moniker was chosen in honor of his brother Freddie, who secured a place in the Samoan World Cup squad of 1991, coinciding with Manusamoa’s birth year.
In pursuit of his rugby dreams and following in the footsteps of his brothers, he journeyed to the UK. In 2004, while residing in Cardiff, he commenced his youth rugby endeavors with Rumney RFC. This coincided with his brother Freddie’s tenure with the Cardiff Blues. At the age of 15, he ventured back to Leicester, joining the ranks of the Leicester Tigers academy.
However, a juncture of uncertainty emerged in June 2010 when Tuilagi faced the prospect of deportation from the UK.
This predicament arose upon revelation that he had initially entered the country utilizing a holiday visa six years prior and had subsequently remained in violation of immigration rules. Following a process of appeal, he eventually attained indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
