Care pondering future but Tuilagi’s England career looks to be over
Danny Care will take stock before deciding on his international future after contributing to an encouraging Six Nations for England.
Care won his 101st cap as a replacement in Saturday's agonising defeat by France in Lyon that saw a long-range penalty by Thomas Ramos seize victory for Les Bleus in the final minute.
The 37-year-old provided cover for Alex Mitchell throughout the championship and deputised in the starting XV when England's first-choice scrum-half was injured for the defeat by Scotland in round three.
Now one of the most exciting players in English rugby is facing a crossroads moment as he nears the end of his Test career while yet to agree a new contract for next season with Harlequins.
"It's 101 and still not out at the moment! I'm going to go home and assess and speak to the family. I've not made any big decisions yet," Care said. "But I've loved being a part of this team. I genuinely have. The past year yes, but particularly the past seven weeks in this Six Nations have been some of my favourite times in an England shirt.
"The result against Ireland was an unbelievable feeling, I thought we were going to do it again and maybe surpass it against France.
"The icing on the cake would have been another win but it wasn't to be. But I've never been prouder to wear an England shirt."
Care's international career appeared to be over following a disagreement with Eddie Jones in 2018, but his irrepressible form for Harlequins resulted in a recall under the Australian and he has remained in favour under Steve Borthwick.
"If it had all finished a couple of years ago it would have been a bit meh, a bit rubbish, so I'm delighted with how the last year has gone," he said.
"I owe Steve and the coaching staff an awful lot for giving
me another opportunity for doing what I love doing the best.
"I've had an amazing time and this team is going to go in one direction, I'm sure of it. Whether I'm a part of that or not, I'll be the happiest person to be a part of it or watching it."
Meanwhile, Manu Tuilagi has played his final game for England after agreeing to join French club Bayonne next season in a two-year-deal.
Tuilagi will depart Sale in June with the outcome of a medical the last hurdle before the move is finalised. The 32-year-old centre won his 60th cap in Lyin on Saturday after coming on as a replacement for Henry Slade in the 59th minute. Rugby Football Union regulations mean that any player leaving the Gallagher Premiership becomes ineligible for international selection.
Tuilagi has been an automatic pick in the midfield for four successive England coaches due to the power he provides on both sides of the ball. However, his career has been heavily interrupted by a number of serious injuries including groin, chest, hamstring, knee and a broken hand. Had he been fit for every match since his debut in 2011, he would have amassed 156 caps.
Ollie Lawrence's rampaging performance against France at the weekend, which included two tries, suggests England have finally found his successor as a hard running centre but Tuilagi's unique physicality means he will never be truly replaced.
101
England appearances
for Danny Care