Don't hold your breath, but there's positive news on the Tuilagi front

Leicester Tigers have been given a major boost in their fight to reach the Aviva Premiership playoffs with two key players – Manu Tuilagi and Ben Youngs – set to make earlier than anticipated returns.

Manu Tuilagi has played just 29 times for Leicester Tigers in the last four seasons, but his latest injury setback isn’t as bad as first feared.

The England international injured a pectoral muscle in the Tigers 16-15 Aviva Premiership win over Wasps ten days ago, but a scan has revealed it was just a strain and he could be fit in time to face Newcastle Falcons on April 27th.

“It should be a couple of weeks rather than months. That’s hugely positive. He (Tuilagi) is running around and is probably going to be into some team training late end of this week or early next week.” Tigers head coach Matt O’Connor said.

Scrum half Ben Youngs damaged knee ligaments in England’s opening Six Nations match against Italy in Rome on February 4th and was due to be out for four months.

He’s made a speedier than expected recovery and could make a shock comeback against Northampton Saints on April 14th.

“He has worked incredibly hard to get back, so that he can contribute at the back end of the season. All the indicators are that he should be in and around selection next week.”

Youngs and Tuilagi’s returns will be a boost to Eddie Jones ahead of England’s three-match tour to South Africa in June.

Tuilagi hasn’t played for England since 2016 and speaking to the Telegraph O’Connor gave his thoughts on a possible international return for the centre.

“He has missed a a lot of rugby and is under a hell of a lot of scrutiny. From that perspective he needs a bit of space to get back to his best. Eddie understands that this is the best environment for him at the moment and he needs to see him playing well consistently before he throws him into the Test mix.”

“The attributes he has and the impact he has on games, you can understand why there is so much hope around him. Everyone is itching to see him back to his best and playing well in a Leicester shirt and ultimately an England shirt.”