It appears that Manu Tuilagi will depart from Sale Sharks, as the team has conceded that salary cap limitations are preventing them from re-signing the England and Lions centre.
He signed an initial one-year contact when he left Leicester Tigers in June 2020 and has since extended his deal by a further two seasons.
However, according to The Rugby Paper, this will be his last despite retaining his place in the England squad..
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 centre,, 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.
Sir Clive Woodward ‘rips up’ England pack and changes entire back-row
15. Freddie Steward
Freddie Steward of England is tackled by Ardie Savea of New Zealand during the Autumn International Series match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham, London on 19 November 2022 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)
14. Ollie Hassell-Collins
13. Henry Slade
12. Manu Tuilagi
Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
11. Cadan Murley
10. Owen Farrell (c)
He wrote; "Borthwick’s decision to make Owen Farrell captain is the right one and I would absolutely have him starting at No 10 during the Six Nations. He must begin the Scotland game there."
Owen Farrell, Captian of England scores a conversion during the Autumn International Series match between England and Japan at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 12th November 2022 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
9. Jack van Poortvliet
1. Ellis Genge
2. Jamie George
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Maro Itoje
5. Courtney Lawes
6. Jack Willis
7. Ben Earl
8. Alex Dombrandt
Marcus Smith of England and Alex Dombrandt of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
