Brothers in arms /Tuilagis to fly the Scottish flag in London after joint move
The rich Tuilagi rugby dynasty will continue in a dark blue jersey after London Scottish announced the signing of the brothers, Fred and Brian, for the 2020-21 season.
The pair boast one of the most well-known surnames in the sport and come from an impressive South Seas rugby heritage which has now become a cornerstone.
Fred and Brian’s father is former Leicester Tigers and Samoan legend, Freddie Tuilagi, who won 17 caps at centre and wing and played against Scotland at Murrayfield in November 2000. One of their uncles is the England and British and Irish Lions superstar centre Manu Tuilagi, who is also a Leicester Tiger.
Brian Tuilagi, 26, is a versatile forward who can play anywhere in the back five of the scrum. He joins London Scottish from Italian Top12 side Mogliano Rugby. He played previously at French second-tier Pro D2 club US Dax.
He came through the ranks at the Leicester Tigers academy, before moving to the Newcastle Falcons academy and then to Saracens, where he made his first XV debut against Leicester Tigers in the 2016 season.
Fred Tuilagi, who is 23, spent last season playing for Italian Top 12 side Rugby Colorno. The 6ft 3, 120kg No.8 previously spent six years at Leicester Tigers, progressing from the academy to follow in the Tuilagi footsteps and make his pro debut against Bath in the LV Cup in 2016.
London Scottish, based in
Richmond, are members of both the Rugby Football Union and the SRU and are in the second-tier English Championship. The club boast the most Scotland internationalists, with more than 220 on their roll of honour.
Former Edinburgh assistant Stevie Scott is head coachat the Exiles club, where Matt Williams is director of rugby.
Brian Tuilagi, right, said: “We’ve heard nothing but good things about them both. Matt was a big part of bringing us both to London
Scottish.” Williams added: “I’m excited to work with Fred and Brian. They play slightly differently, but will complement each other and carry the physicality you’d expect from a Tuilagi in defence and with ball in hand.”