Tuilagi’s back to bash All Blacks
MANU TUILAGI is ready to be unleashed against the All Blacks – the team he terrorised at Twickenham six years ago.
The Man of the Match in England’s record 38-21 win was last night named in a 25-man squad to face New Zealand on Saturday.
He has shaken off the groin niggle which kept him off the bench against South Africa over the weekend.
“It was great to see him running around today. He is looking good,” said team-mate Ben Youngs.
“We know what a world-class operator Manu is. Seeing him in your team settles down the boys.”
Bath flanker Sam Underhill takes Tom Curry’s place, with the ankle injury which forced him off against the Boks ruling him out of the rest of the autumn internationals.
“Beyond that we don’t know how long but it’s not within the next three Test matches so he won’t be available for us,” said England forwards’ coach Steve Borthwick. Courtney Lawes is also included after recovering from the back problem which kept him out of the Springboks game in place of Elliott Stooke, who was a travelling reserve last week.
Joe Marchant and Nathan Earle will train with the squad today before being released back to Harlequins while the suspended Alex Lozowski will remain with England until later in the week.
Cold
Meanwhile, Brad Shields revealed he has been given the cold shoulder by New Zealand after opting to play for England.
The converted Kiwi, 27, is pals with All Blacks stars Beauden Barrett and Dane Coles and mischievously left England shirts in their drawers when he stayed at their houses.
He also played with Ben Smith and Codey Taylor in the New Zealand under-20s side which beat England in the 2011 Junior World Championship final. But Shields, who made his Twickenham debut for his new nation on Saturday, confirmed there had been nothing but radio silence since New Zealand arrived in England.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone yet but there’s a few days to go so let’s see,” said Shields.
“I’ve played with a few of the guys for a number of years so there are friendships and relationships there but you’re out on the field to do a job.
“Footie players play against mates every day no matter the level. You don’t want to have too many individual battles because that could take your focus off the bigger picture. Think team first is a massive priority for me.
“I’ll do my best for the squad and try to put my best foot forward if I’m selected. Otherwise you’ll look like a bit of a sham out there if you don’t play well.”