Tuilagi can be ‘ deadly’ for England
line- up tomorrow, Tuilagi is set to be included on the bench before being launched at Warren Gatland’s side in the second half of the World Cup revenge mission.
“He is so devastating. I have seen him play against some of the best teams in the world and he causes everybody trouble,” said his England team- mate James Haskell.
“He is deadly. I watched one of Manu’s tackles yesterday. He folded the bloke up like a deckchair on the fl oor. It was an incredible shot.”
Tuilagi is set to be joined on a rejigged England bench by Northampton prop Kieran Brookes and Joe Launchbury, who is fi t to return for the injured Courtney Lawes after a hamstring problem.
Second row is Eddie Jones’s tightest selection call but Launchbury is likely to have to play second fi ddle to Maro Itoje, who made an impressive fi rst start against Ireland a fortnight ago.
Wales yesterday named an unchanged starting XV but shuffl ed their bench, with Rhys Webb and Luke Charteris returning as well as Paul James, who will fi ll in for the injured Gethin Jenkins.
Even without their centurion prop, Wales can call upon 956 caps- worth of experience in their squad – a factor centre Jamie Roberts believes will be critical in a potential title decider.
“You would like to think so. Experience counts a lot in international rugby but if you don’t turn up you are soon found wanting,” said Roberts.
“It will take bodies on the line on Saturday and full concentration because one missed tackle, penalty or unforced error could decide the championship.
“If you fast forward a week you would like to think we wouldn’t lose against Italy at home because we never have before.
“I would doubt whether England will lose in France if they are hunting for the Grand Slam. So this game will go a long way to deciding the championship this weekend.”
Roberts, as ever, will be central to Wales’ tactical approach with Gatland intent on sending the imposing Lions centre down the England No10 channel.
“We won’t disappoint George Ford in terms of where we go on Saturday. We won’t be throwing the ball all over the place – we are going to be pretty direct,” said Gatland.
“We need to earn the right to go wide and we have got players to get us across the advantage line. And hopefully when we do that, we can play some pretty positive rugby.”
It is a fi xture that resonates beyond the rugby fraternity; it is a game which could belatedly ignite the championship.
‘ He causes everyone trouble’
ENGLAND ( probable):
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