Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

The England verdict on the return of the fit-again Manu Tuilagi

By PA
England's Manu Tuilagi (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

England are ready to thrust Manu Tuilagi straight into their Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland following his recovery from a groin problem. Tuilagi has been added to Steve Borthwick’s squad for their fallow week training camp in London having missed the opening two Guinness Six Nations rounds because of the injury sustained in December.

ADVERTISEMENT

If the 32-year-old centre plays at Murrayfield on February 24 it will be his first appearance for nine weeks, but England are confident he would rise to the occasion.

Defence coach Felix Jones said: “Manu had a little bit of a run around out there Wednesday. It wasn’t anything too intense but he looked good.

Video Spacer

Beyond 80 analysis on England and a Springbok defensive structure | RPTV

Former Ireland and Leinster hooker and analysis guru Bernard Jackman dissects England’s defensive structure under Felix Jones. Watch the full episode on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Video Spacer

Beyond 80 analysis on England and a Springbok defensive structure | RPTV

Former Ireland and Leinster hooker and analysis guru Bernard Jackman dissects England’s defensive structure under Felix Jones. Watch the full episode on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

“He has done it a number of times where he has come back from injury with low levels of game time but still been able to perform at a very high level. Experience accounts for a lot in those situations.”

If Tuilagi proves his fitness in training over the coming days, Borthwick must decide whether to break up the centre partnership of Fraser Dingwall and Henry Slade that started the victories over Italy and Wales or confine him to a bench role.

Related

Tuilagi provides the ability to punch over the gainline currently lacked by the back division and England know that Scotland will build much of their attack around their own muscular carrier Sione Tuipulotu.

The prospect of Ollie Lawrence being available for the round three showdown in Edinburgh is less certain as he overcomes a hip injury. The Bath powerhouse, another midfield option, was involved in training on Wednesday and a clearer picture of his readiness will emerge over the coming days.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and lock George Martin are both in contention against Scotland after being added to Borthwick’s 36-man training squad.

Cowan-Dickie was forced to withdraw from the original Six Nations squad after an undisclosed medical condition materialised when he was on club duty for Sale.

His availability will relieve the pressure on captain Jamie George, whose workload has been increased by the lack of experienced alternatives in the position.

Martin’s fitness will be welcomed by England, who benefited from his menacing display against South Africa in the semi-final of last autumn’s World Cup – his most recent international appearance.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 22-year-old had tweaked his knee, ruling him out of the start of the Six Nations, but will look to secure a place in the second or back row against Scotland.

Fixture
Six Nations
Scotland
30 - 21
Full-time
England
All Stats and Data
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

M
Mzilikazi 33 minutes ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

This performance from Ireland does not surprise me. Go back to the Emgland game last year, and the way Ireland played there. Some poor defence, especially at the death, allowing the Smith drop goal, which was from an virtually .unmissable position.


Then the AB loss in the autumn, when Ireland played as poorly as I have seen this current group play. I agree with you, Nick, when you cite the falloff in attacking/try scoring ability which started with the Lancaster / Nienaber transition.


The loss of injured players is also a factor, but I would only mention it in passing, not overplay that one. After all, France were missing their first choice centre pairing.


The Prendergast v Crowley debate. I have been in the “Crowley to start” camp from the get go, and for this game specially, I feel that strategically Crowley should have started. The Munster man just has that bit more to his game, that bit more toughness and variation. I would suspect the French coaching group were delighted to be looking at how they played the Irish staring 10 for this game.


Prendergast is a supreme passer of the ball, and ultra cool and balanced, probably the better goal kicker. But in that first half(as far as I have got in the game so far), he was caught twice in possession, once really bulldozed back by the French forwards. In addition, he made some poor kicking choices, and only once took the line on. He was too easy to read, never a line breaking threat. I have read he played out the full 80 at 10. That leaves me seething. The Irish coaching group repeating the mistake made in the RWC QF in France, with Crowley again not used to advantage.

106 Go to comments
S
SK 1 hour ago
How Dupont-less France tossed a grenade into Ireland's Grand Slam celebrations

I think France have made really good improvements. They have found several players on the bench and in the wider squad who are able to now operate at the level of their starters, they have power and devastation on the bench and can change the game. Their gameplan has also evolved and they are able to stay in the fight for longer. Fitness and conditioning seems to have become primary work ons. They have worked massively on breakdown where they forced so many turnovers and always slowed down Irelands ball. How many times did you see a French hand on the ball fighting the first and second cleaner tooth and nail for access before being shoved off of it? They become like a pack of rabid dogs on turnover and transitions, they counter so much better now and you can see elements of the Bordeaux and Toulouse game written all over the team. Its almost like a swarm when they counter. They have great alignment between the Top 14 and the national team and they have a group of players who are well versed in playing this style. You could see clearly in this game why both Galthie and Erasmus now fancy a 7-1 stack against Ireland. It is by and large to overpower them and demolish their breakdown. Irelands attack has devolved. Its now more metronomic than creative. It involves phase after phase of attritional attack and hordes of possession but it lacks creativity and purpose after the second or third phase. The Ireland attack of old kept teams guessing. You didnt know if they were gonna go wide or close in, you had to worry about the offload, the inside pass, the blindside and the hooker on the wing. Now it seems like they move the ball side to side while patiently waiting for the dam wall to break. They also lack pace and bite in the outside channels without Hansen and Lowe. Nash and Osborne were not on it and they struggled to contain the outside French backs who were incredible. France had more leaders that stood up, more grit and more power and it all proved too much for Ireland to handle.

106 Go to comments
N
Novelty Dmv Experts 2 hours ago
English rugby pundits and fans really need to get a grip

We are here to help everyone erase their criminal records , DUIs , bad driving records and other criminal records needed without any mishap .We have the Real registered drivers license, Illinois state id requirements, Illinois id requirements , what do you need to get your license Illinois  how to get a new drivers license illinois  ,  Fake Malaysian passport , credit card hack software, Fake UK Passports , Fake Bank Statement , Fake bank statement for loan , How To Get A Driver’s License in Ontario And British Columbia and good quality Fake Driver License will be verify from any other country with no problems involved, meanwhile with the camouflage quality Fake drivers License , non of your biometric details will be under the government system, but it can not be detected as fake with naked eyes. We also help people with DUI and other criminal records erased without any mishap , how to get your DUI erased is a problem which is solved here.

Now email us today at our E-mail address at: { qualitydocuments9@gmail.com }


Visit our website on : noveltydmvexperts.com


Thanks and waiting to Hear from you soonense for USA , UK , Canada which is unregistered. Real Estate License , How To Get A Fake Drivers License That Works From The DMV . Belgian driving license , Irish driver License , Fake drivers license nsw , How to spot a fake id Australia .With the Drivers License , all your biometric details as given from birth or How to Easily Order for a fake driver License online from the comfort of your home . Meanwhile in UK , you can easily obtain a Fake Driving Licence UK Online without any driving test.  Welcome to Novelty DMV Experts Best Producers of High Undetected Drivers License . We produce two types of documents qualities. Both real and fake drivers License . We also offer quality   Irish Drivers License  for Irish Citizens.

6 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'Mixed views': New Zealand age grade rugby gets shake up with new team New Zealand age grade rugby gets shake up
Search