MANU ON A MISSION
Tuilagi eager to leave English game in style
MANU TUILAGI is aiming to sign off for Sale with the Twickenham farewell he was denied with England.
He effectively called time on his international career at the end of the Six Nations after his decision to sign a two-year deal with Bayonne next season.
While a second-half cameo off the bench against France in Lyon was not the ideal lap of honour, he is hoping the Sharks can give him one more big day out in next month’s Premiership final. Twickenham is the target and the 32-year-old and his team-mates are coming up fast on the rails in the playoff race ahead of tonight’s clash with Leicester. “We know how good we can be. If we can perform to the best that I know this team can be, we’ll be there,” said Tuilagi. “From six games out we’ve had to really go after it and win every game or we’d be out of the competition. It’ll be no different this week.”
The clash with the Tigers – the club where he made his name – will be Tuilagi’s last home game after four years at Sale.
“It’s quite emotional. I’ve loved it here,” said the 60-cap England star and 2019 World Cup finalist. “I definitely won’t miss the weather. Every day it’s raining isn’t it? But what I will miss is the people.”
Tuilagi’s time in English rugby is drawing to a close too.
What an adventure it has been since he first came over as a 13-year-old who had learned his rugby back in Samoa with a plastic bottle stuffed with dry grass rather than a ball.
“When I look back now I just think, ‘Wow. It’s been some journey,’” said the centre.
“I remember I got here and it was in the winter, freezing, but I loved it. It snowed and I ran out with no shoes and my mum was going to give me a hiding.
“Mum and dad went back, but me and my brother stayed here, and over-stayed – for a long time. I nearly got deported!”
It took a local MP’s intervention to persuade the authorities to turn a blind eye to the fact that he had been in the country for six years on a six-month holiday visa and grant Tuilagi indefinite leave to remain.
The English game counting its blessings. is still