Another update from Sale on the Manu Tuilagi contract extension story

Sale boss Alex Sanderson has suggested everything must be okay with the contract offer they have given Manu Tuilagi, as there have been no complaints from the England powerhouse since the club provided him with the paperwork on Monday.

The future of Tuilagi beyond the current 2022/23 season has been one of the longest-running sagas in English rugby in recent times, but the finishing line finally appears to be in sight, according to the Sale director of rugby.

“I am assuming he has signed, and I think he probably has in spirit – I honestly don’t know,” said Sanderson at his Tuesday afternoon media briefing ahead of this Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership trip to Gloucester.

“But I am seeing the way he is playing for me, that is as good as (signing). We have agreed on terms, and he had the contract on Monday. I haven’t followed it up. If something was wrong, I would know about it.

“The contract is not the market value as far as what French and Japanese clubs can offer. From what I know this second, he is staying with us next season.”

Sale are second on the Premiership table and within striking distance of securing a home semi-final. What has helped them get there has been Tuilagi’s injury-free run this term, especially all the training he did with England even though he was banned for a number of matches following a mid-February red card for illegal use of an elbow at Northampton.

“Manu is a supercarrier and the Squadfather – he gives players around him confidence. Manu had two months with England training and not playing during his ban and he reckons the sustained intensity of training without the yo-yo effect of having to play means he feels fitter.

“He came off against Bristol and said he felt good and that was due to the time with England. What was a really horrible, challenging time had a silver lining and he is now in the best shape at the business end of the season.”