Door opens for Tuilagi to stop Irish Slam

MANU TUILAGI is poised to give England a timely power boost by making a dramatic Test comeback against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday after Ollie Lawrence was ruled out. The Bath centre damaged a hamstring in the second half of the dire 53-10 defeat by France three days ago, giving England a midfield vacancy. The upshot is that the door has re-opened for Tuilagi, weeks after his prospects appeared bleak. Sale’s 31-year-old wrecking ball was left out of head coach Steve Borthwick’s 23 for the first two rounds and Lawrence made his mark with an explosive return against Italy at inside centre. Tuilagi was sent back to his club for gametime, but his desire to make a compelling Test case backfired. In a Premiership game against Northampton he was sent off and when he was hit with a four-match ban, there appeared no hope of a Six Nations return, which led to doubts about his international future. Lawrence was forging an alliance with Henry Slade, while Borthwick identified Leicester rookie Dan Kelly as a potential England centre before he was also injured. But how quickly the picture has changed. Borthwick kept Tuilagi involved during the training camp for France, so he could be in the mix for a potential role against Ireland. Now Lawrence is out, there is a prime opportunity.

It comes at a time when Borthwick is hurriedly addressing a chronic power deficit which was exposed by Fabien Galthie’s team. A selection revamp is likely and Tuilagi is capable of providing additional clout. If he starts at the Aviva Stadium, it could stir up ghosts in Irish minds. Four years ago, England went to Dublin for a Six Nations opener and produced a fine display to win 32-20. That day, Tuilagi set the tone with an early, blasting run from a long lineout and his carrying troubled the hosts. That all seems a distant memory as Ireland prepare to seal a clean sweep that some bookies are already paying out on, while Borthwick grapples with a variety of problems. He has recalled George Ford, which means England again have three fly-halves, with the option of Owen Farrell at 12. Marcus Smith will hope for another chance at No 10. Speaking after the French ordeal, Smith said: ‘We’re going to have to step up a gear. We have to stick together, because there’s going to be a lot of noise and pressure. ‘There’s no better week than a free swing at Ireland. We’re going to bounce back and improve. We have to.’ Lock Jonny Hill has been recalled, along with centre Guy Porter and wing Ollie Hassell-Collins, while Sam Simmonds and Joe Heyes were omitted.