DAWSON: MANU MAY HAVE PEAKED
MATT DAWSON insists it is too soon to say rugby has seen the best of Manu Tuilagi – “but it’s getting close”.
Tuilagi yesterday underwent surgery on a torn meniscus cartilage in his left knee, and has been ruled out for three months by his club, Leicester.
The damage was suffered on Saturday in his first competitive game since January, continuing a four-year run of injury heartache.
In that time, he has started just 23 league games for Tigers, while his last England start was in June 2014. “There seems to be a bit of a theme developing,” said Dawson.
“His game involves changing direction, putting loads of pressure through his knees and making big tackles. It’s not as if he can choke his game down a bit.”
Tuilagi is still only 26 but England World Cup winner Dawson added: “After shoulder operations, I decided I’d no longer compete for balls in rucks. You can’t play the game like that now.
“It’s a bit too early to say we’ve seen the best of him. But it’s getting close.”