Joy for England as Tuilagi rejects big-money move
MANU TUILAGI is changing positions again in England’s midfield, but he is not changing club any time soon.
As reported by MailOnline yesterday, the 27-year-old centre has signed a contract to keep him at Leicester until at least June 2021. It puts to an end speculation that Tuilagi would move to Paris after the World Cup to join Racing 92, who had reportedly made him an offer worth £830,000 a year.
This morning, Tuilagi is due to be named in England’s starting XV for Saturday’s Calcutta Cup clash with Scotland at Twickenham, which marks the finale of this year’s Guinness Six Nations.
He will revert to inside centre to accommodate the return of Exeter’s Henry Slade at No 13, with Ben Te’o dropping out. Elsewhere fellow Tiger Ellis Genge is expected to retain his place at loosehead.
Tuilagi’s decision was greeted as great news for Leicester, for the Premiership and for England — because he will remain eligible for international selection.
While he has been performing well in this Six Nations campaign, Tuilagi has also been agonising about the best course of action, as he suggested in a Tigers statement yesterday.
‘I love the club and I want to repay the loyalty they have shown me in my time here,’ he said in a statement yesterday, referencing the support he has received while overcoming a series of injuries.
‘I’m very passionate about playing my part in bringing back the success we all expect at such a massive club. This was a big decision for me to make, but I’m very happy to stay here.’
England forwards coach Steve Borthwick said: ‘It’s great news for English rugby if the best players want to stay in England and play rugby for England. Manu’s playing well. His consistency of play is getting better and better.’
Jonny May, Tuilagi’s team-mate with Leicester and England, said: ‘We’re over the moon, it’s awesome news. He’s got a big smile on his face and I think he’s happy with the decision he has made. You can tell it’s been preying on his mind a bit. It probably would’ve been quite stressful but we’re all happy with the decision he’s made, especially the Leicester boys.
‘He would have been a huge loss to Leicester, but we would have understood it. It was important we supported him either way. If he’d turned round and said, “I’ve signed for Racing”, I’d have said, “Awesome, that’s a great opportunity for you, I hope you enjoy it”.
‘He really doesn’t owe anyone anything. He’s been a brilliant player for Leicester and England, and he’s earned the opportunity to sign a contract wherever he wants, but obviously England and Tigers fans will be delighted he’s signed again for Leicester.
‘It hasn’t been a great season at Leicester, but this is brilliant news for the club that can hopefully give everyone a lift.
‘We as players love having him around. As well as being a worldclass player, he is a great guy.
‘For Leicester Tigers fans, the Tuilagi name has been part of their history. As long as they keep him there and Tuilagis are doing what they do for Leicester, it will be a great club.’