Not sure whether Manu will make it back for England

IT WAS sad to read Manu Tuilagi had injured himself again last week - but somehow it felt inevitable.

He has not been in an England shirt since June 2014 and has suffered a catalogue of injuries, including reoccurring groin trouble, a torn pectoral and hamstring tears. It’s not just one part of his body that seems suspect, with the latest problem to his knee.

While Leicester seem to have trodden water in that time, England have enjoyed extreme highs and lows and have come out the other side stronger for it.

The national side relied upon Tuilagi too heavily for too long before 2014.

When forced to try alternatives both Jonathan Joseph and now Elliot Daly have shown they are Test quality and able to provide adequate cover. So much so, the thing the fans wanted to see most in this Six Nations is Tuilagi at No.12, inside one of those two.

The glimpses we have seen of Tuilagi over the last few years suggested he was trying to broaden his game under Aaron Mauger – but two stop-start campaigns mean he has not been able to dominate a game the way he did before the injuries.

Just seeing him out there was enough for now, willing him to regain his form. He’s 25 and this latest injury makes you question whether a man his size, with so much natural muscle mass, is really built to last.

It’s a hammer blow to him, Leicester, England and the Lions.

THOMAS SHARPE via email