MANU EXITS LEICESTER LOCK DOWN
MANU TUILAGI could be heading out of English rugby after failing to agree terms with Leicester Tigers on an amended contract.
England duo George Ford (below) and Ellis Genge were among those who left their decision until ‘deadline day’ to finally put pen to paper.
But Tuilagi is understood to have rejected a revised deal and, barring a change of heart from either party, is likely to leave the 10-time English champions.
That prospect will alert the wealthy clubs of France and Japan who have long coveted the England and Lions centre. A year ago Tuilagi, 29, signed a contract extension at Welford Road, but only after rejecting a bumper £2.5million offer to join Racing 92 in France.
He said then: ”I love the club and I want to repay the loyalty they have shown me in my time here.”
Genge and Ford are set to take pay cuts, though prop Genge has had another year added to his contract.
In stark contrast to the Tigers’ brinkmanship, East Midlands rivals Northampton last night confirmed that all their stars had committed their future to the club.
These include England’s Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Piers Francis, George Furbank and Alex Mitchell as well as Wales fly-half Dan Biggar.
Kyle Sinckler starts life as a Bristol player today admitting that he owes his elevated status in the game to a pub conversation with Wales legend Adam Jones. The now former Harlequins tighthead told how a no-nonsense chat with Jones, while they sat in a bar watching England lose to Wales at the 2015 World Cup, proved a ‘turning point’ in his career.
Sinckler revealed on Maro Itoje’s podcast, Pearl Conversations: “I’ll never forget this moment, even though we’d had a few beers.
“Adam said to me, ‘Mate, if you want to play for England you kind of need to buck your ideas up.’
“One of the greatest props to play in the position identified that I could definitely play at international level.” ☐WALES prop Rhys Carre, 22, has rejoined Cardiff Blues, as Saracens continue to slash their wage bill after being relegated to the Championship for salary cap breaches.