Manu Tuilagi could swap nations for the next Rugby World Cup after making himself ineligible for England

Wednesday, 08 May 2024 at 19:27

byRugby Rucker

Manu Tuilagi, headed for France, acknowledged he'll miss donning the England jersey but looks forward to what lies ahead for the team.

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The 32-year-old centre bids farewell to Sale Sharks, set to join Top 14 outfit Bayonne on a two-year contract.

His 60th appearance in England's Six Nations defeat to France in March marked the end of a 13-year international stint post his naturalization from Samoa.

RFU regulations dictate that departing Premiership players lose their shot at international selection.

Manu said: "It's a tough one because you still want to play [for England] but I've learned that what you want, you don't always get. I think I'll miss it, but now I'll be a fan.

Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

"The last two games of the Six Nations, Ireland then going to France, taking it right to the wire - it's exciting. I am excited to see the boys keep that growth going, I think there is so much growth in that team. As a fan I am so excited."

While it's a long shot, should the powerhouse centre still be at it in 2027, the then 36-year-old could switch allegiance to his native Samoa for the grand tournament.

Born with the name Manusamoa, he pays tribute to the Samoan national team, Manu Samoa, as his brother Freddie represented Samoa in the World Cup of 1991, the year Manu was born.

Players who could swap nations for 2027 Rugby World Cup:

Manu Tuilagi to Samoa

Nathan Huges to Fiji

When asked if he'd be open to swapping nations, he told Rugby Pass: “Yes, 100 per cent,”

He added: “I’m just focusing purely on Black Rams and just playing as well as I can and letting the selectors do their job.

“The coaches and their staff are all in Europe at the moment and I’m not sure when they will be coming to Japan. We’ll wait until the day comes.

"If he picks me, we will make the decision then, but we have got two more games to go (at Black

Billy Vunipola to Tonga/Australia

With Australia set to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Vunipola could be a legitimate addition to their squad ahead of the tournament.

Players are eligible to represent the nations of their birth after a three-year stand-down period, and Vunipola, who was born in Sydney, fits this criteria.

Having already earned 75 caps for England since his debut in 2013, Vunipola has been a key figure in England's recent World Cup campaigns, including the 2019 final and the third-place finish in the 2023 tournament in France.

Mako Vunipola to Tonga/New Zealand

Ollie Hassell-Collin to Wales

Despite earning two caps for England during last year's Six Nations, the 25-year-old wasn't included in Steve Borthwick's squad since then. Notably, he was absent from England A's recent triumph over Portugal.

Ahead of this year's Six Nations, Gatland had mentioned Hassell-Collins several times, especially during the discussion surrounding another dual-qualified winger, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.

“I have seen Gatland’s interview,” Hassell-Collins told the Telegraph.

“I’ve got two caps for England, and obviously I’m English. But if I don’t see anything in the next few years then it’s definitely something that I would consider.

“I would qualify [for Wales] the year of the World Cup – that is, if he still wants me. Wales is still part of who I am.

"My grandma was Welsh and I still have family over there. It’s

Alex Lozowski to Italy

Lozowski, who has an Italian grandmother, could take advantage of the new World Rugby rules surrounding eligibility.

The Saracens star, who won the last of his six England caps in 2018, could swap with immediate effect following the rule change and was approached by former Italy boss Kieran Crowley on multiple occasions.

Alex Lozowski of Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester Rugby and Saracens at Kingsholm Stadium on 27 October 2023 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

Nic Dolly to Australia

The Australian-born hooker, limited to just one Test appearance for England due to his injury setback, is now set to potentially don the Wallabies jersey, having inked a deal with the Western Force.

Following the revelation that Dolly would depart from Leicester Tigers at the conclusion of the season, reports from The Roar disclosed that the 24-year-old has committed to a multi-year contract with Simon Cron’s Force outfit.

This move opens the door for Dolly to be considered for selection by the Wallabies, should head coach Joe Schmidt decide to summon him for the Autumn Internationals later this year.

Gallagher Man of the Match Nic Dolly of Leicester Tigers during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester Rugby and Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm Stadium on September 24 2021 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

Guy Porter to Australia

The centre is primed to sign for an Australian Super Rugby franchise after exiting Leicester Tigers.

Porter, who won his sixth England cap in the World Cup warm-up against Wales last summer, moved to Australia when he was seven and played for Sydney University while he studied law.

He also turned out for Sydney Stars and Sydney Rays and had a spell with the ACT Brumbies before moving to the Tigers, where he has seen his stock rise after making over 65 appearances.

Reports now suggest the outside-centre will join an Australian Super Rugby franchise rather than continue to ply his trade in the Gallagher Premiership.