Lancaster considers Tuilagi return after encouraging game

Published on Tuesday 21 February 2012 03:57

England interim head coach Stuart Lancaster was encouraged with Manu Tuilagi’s performance for Leicester on Sunday and is considering whether to give the controversial centre a starting place in this weekend’s RBS Six Nations clash against Wales.

Tuilagi was one of the few players who performed to their best in a disastrous World Cup campaign for England last autumn, but he returned home as one of many players shamed over his disciplinary problems. The centre was fined on two occasions in New Zealand – firstly for wearing a sponsored gumshield, and then for jumping off a ferry in Auckland.

Tuilagi is yet to play for England since the World Cup, thanks mainly to a shattered eye-socket and a hamstring injury.

He has been restricted to just five games for Leicester this season, the latest of which came in their 20-19 win over Saracens.

The 20-year-old was recalled to the England squad last week but faces a fight to dislodge Brad Barritt from the XV after he impressed in England’s opening two wins of the Six Nations. Tuilagi may yet start on Saturday though, as his power could prove vital against a big Welsh back line, and Lancaster was pleased with his performance in Sunday’s narrow win at Vicarage Road.

“Manu has had such limited game time since the World Cup, so it was a good chance for him to get another 80 minutes under his belt,” Lancaster said.

“At that level, in that quality of a game, it was just a great opportunity for him. We were pleased for him and how he played. He did a lot of things well.” Tuilagi will begin full training with England today after being the day off to recover from Sunday’s game, which saw Leicester clinch victory with a last-minute drop goal.

He will have two days to impress Lancaster and prove that he is sharp enough to be considered ahead of Barritt for a game that could make or break England’s hopes of winning the tournament, and Lancaster’s own chances of landing his current job on a permanent basis.

As well as the return of Tuilagi, Lancaster also has Courtney Lawes and Toby Flood available after they also missed the opening two games of the competition. England’s interim coach would not confirm whether Tuilagi would start, but he did admit having the trio available has breathed new life in to his squad. He added: “From our point of view it’s a great position to be in to have competition for places.”

Third-choice hooker Lee Mears is having a scan on his bicep and could miss the game on Saturday, while wing Charlie Sharples is also a doubt after suffering a leg injury. Harlequins’ Chris Brooker has been called up as cover for Mears.

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