Sale Sharks boss delivers 'brilliant' news on Manu Tuilagi

Tuesday, 06 April 2021 at 21:37

byRugby Rucker

England powerhouse Manu Tuilagi is set to return in time for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

Sale boss Alex Sanderson delivered the “brilliant” news today that the 29-year-old is set to return next month, having been ruled out with an achilles injury since September.

“We are saying May now, some time in May,” said Sanderson.

“That’s brilliant isn’t it? We'll get him back for some big games for the back end of the season.”

Warren Gatland names his 36-man group on 6th May with the head coach also set to name a standby list due to his reduced squad size.

Warren Gatland names O’Driscoll in his top five Lions of all-time

GATLAND'S TOP FIVE LIONS OF ALL-TIME:

#1. Gareth Edwards (Wales)

GATLAND SAID: "To me, he is probably the greatest halfback we've seen in the game. He was quick, intelligent and scored a lot of tries."

In 2003, in a poll of international rugby players conducted by magazine, Edwards was declared the greatest player of all time.

Rugby World

#2. JPR Williams (Wales)

GATLAND SAID: "He was incredibly tough, even though he was a fullback he probably could have played in the forwards. He definitely put his body on the line."

DID YOU KNOW? An orthopaedic surgeon by profession, Williams has continued to be involved in rugby since retirement

#3. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)

GATLAND SAID: "In his prime, he was absolutely outstanding in terms of his rugby knowledge and leadership. He was always able to make players around him look better than they were."

DID YOU KNOW? He is the 8th-highest try scorer in international rugby union history, and the highest scoring centre of all time

#4. Martin Johnson (England)

GATLAND SAID: "An unbelievable leader. Probably the most competitive player I've ever come across. Very tough and loved a challenge."

DID YOU KNOW? Martin Johnson comes from a sporting family. His great-grandfather was a wrestler

#5. Lawrence Dallaglio (England)

GATLAND SAID: “The best captain that I’ve ever been involved with was Lawrence Dallaglio.

“He had that unbelievable ability to motivate players in a way that I’ve never seen anyone else able to do. Particularly in the changing rooms,” Gatland explained.

“He’d talk the talk and then walk the walk. I’ve so much admiration for his leadership and honesty in that role.”