World class, yes, but did Manu ever give us value for money?

STANDPOINT

IT appears that the 20-year Tuilagi family link with Leicester Tigers has been severed. The news of Manu’s reported departure to Sale has been greeted with mixed feelings among the fans. There are those pointing out he is on a reported (albeit speculative) salary of about £500,000, where Tigers then offered him a Covid-affected £375,000 per year, and has so far this season played in two Premiership games and three European Challenge Cup games.

In the six years from 2014/15 to 2019/20, he has turned out in 41 Premiership games (that’s fewer than seven games per season) and 16 European games.

A total of 57 games in six seasons.

It is hard to argue, on a pure value for money basis, that the amount going out was matched by what he brought to the team.

Given the support he was provided with through some very dark times, it could be argued that the decision to part company probably should have occurred earlier.

On the other hand, Tuilagi is iconic, one of the few genuine world-class players at Leicester, and on his day capable of making something out of nothing.

There is sadness that the long family connection has ceased.

Truth be told, and if other reports that Manu actually returned and wanted the deal he had initially rejected are true, it might even be the case that the hierarchy (hopefully on the playing side) at the Tigers have taken the first view and believe that moving on will be best for both Manu and the club.

It does certainly hurt that another Premiership club have apparently found the money to satisfy Manu’s demands. Sale have spent a lot of money in the past couple of years and this signing certainly tells you all you need to know about ‘Gentlemen’s Agreements’ and the rest of the Premiership.

Clearly his move could go either way for Sale (and message boards initially suggest that their own fans aren’t happy).

If Manu suddenly becomes reliably fit there will be huge questions hanging over the Tigers’ medical and rehabilitation teams, and he will be a brilliant signing for a club on the up.

On the other hand, if the stories of Sale players taking significant pay cuts are true, it’s difficult to see a good effect on morale of bringing in a highly-paid star, particularly if he plays as often for Sale as he did for Leicester.