"It's been a privilege" - Manu Tuilagi set to end England career

Wednesday, 30 November 2022 at 14:36

byRugby Rucker

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.

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"You can't just focus on the figures..." "I was Wales captain at the time, I don't think it would've sent a good message..." "I think for Manu it's one contract too early." Should Manu Tuilagi take Racing's offer and go play in France? #RugbyTonight

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9:05 PM · Feb 27, 2019

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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.

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.

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Congratulations to @Manutuilagi, who wins his 50th England cap today 🌹 #ENGvRSA

5:00 PM · Nov 26, 2022

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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"

Ollie Devoto (England XV and Bath) - Photo mandatory by-line: Garry Bowden/Pinnacle - Tel: +44(0)1363 881025 - Mobile:0797 1270 681 - 010614 - SPORT - RUGBY UNION - England v Barbarians - Twickenham, London, England

#3. Dan Kelly (Leicester Tigers)

Height and weight: 6ft, 15st 1lbs
England caps: 1

They wrote: " Kelly, who also qualified for Ireland before he was capped by England in the summer, has been brilliant for Leicester this season and a major part of their revival under Steve Borthwick.'

Leicester Tigers player Dan Kelly attacks Bath Rugby player Max Clark during the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Nov 5th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK

#4. Ollie Lawrence

Height and weight: 5ft 11in, 15st 8lbs
England caps: 6

They said: "Jones last March was notably impressed with one way Lawrence had responded to being dropped - by packing on more muscle."

Ollie Lawrence of England Rugby during the Autumn Nations Cup match between England and Georgia at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on November 14 2020. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#5. Paolo Odogwu

Height and weight: 5ft 9in, 15st 2lbs
England caps: 0

They wrote: "Has returned from the ACL rupture he suffered last season in bruising fashion over the last few weeks for Wasps, with braces recently against Exeter and Bath giving him four tries in five Premiership matches so far this season."

Try Celebrations for Paolo Odogwu of Wasps during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Wasps at the Recreation Ground on 8 Jan. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK/Gallagher

#6. Max Ojomoh

Height and weight: 6ft, 15st 5lbs
England caps: 0

They wrote: "One of the few bright spots for Bath this season, Ojomoh has already shown off a wide skill-set, filling in at fly-half on occasion."