Manu Tuilagi to make latest comeback this afternoon

Manu Tuilagi is set to return to the Leicester Tigers backline for today’s Aviva Premiership fixture away to Gloucester Rugby at 2.30pm.

Tuilagi is included after injury as Tigers resume league action with the Round 14 trip to Kingsholm. While all eyes will be on the Six Nations, Eddie Jones will be sure to be monitoring how the blockbusting centre goes.

It is the latest in a long line of injury comebacks for Tuilagi, who has played precious little rugby in the last 24 months. If he is to force his way back into the England side for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, he will need to demonstrate the ability to stay fit over the course of the next 18 months.

Telusa Veainu also returns to the team in another timely attacking boost for Leicester Tigers.

Tom Youngs also returns to captain the team, joining Greg Bateman and Logovi’i Mulipola in the Tigers front row.

Brendon O’Connor makes his 50th appearance for the club since his arrival in November 2015.

“Having Telusa and Manu back has been a real positive around the place and gives us more options in the backline,” said head coach Matt O’Connor.

“We have a big challenge and we have to make sure we are bang-on for Saturday. The competition is still very tight and every point will be at a premium.”

Leicester Tigers (v Gloucester, away, Saturday 2.30pm)

15 Telusa Veainu
14 Nick Malouf
13 Manu Tuilagi
12 Matt Toomua
11 Adam Thompstone
10 Joe Ford
9 Sam Harrison

1 Greg Bateman
2 Tom Youngs (c)
3 Logovi’i Mulipola
4 Mike Fitzgerald
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Williams
7 Brendon O’Connor
8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau
17 Kyle Traynor
18 Pat Cilliers
19 Harry Wells
20 Luke Hamilton
21 Harry Simmons
22 Gareth Owen
23 Mathew Tait