Race against time: Manu Tuilagi
England centre Manu Tuilagi has been given until Tuesday to prove his fitness for Saturday's opening Six Nations clash against Scotland.
The Leicester centre is battling to overcome an ankle injury and coach Stuart Lancaster insists he will not be given any extra time to prove he is able to take the field for the Calcutta Cup.
If Tuilagi is not ready in time, either Jonathan Joseph or Billy Twelvetrees will likely take his place in midfield.
Asked whether Tuilagi would be given until late in the week, Lancaster said: "No. You have to trust the players you have got and you have to be fair to the player.
"If he's not right to play an international game you don't pick him. It's the same for everyone. No (he will not get special treatment). You have to be fair to your team.
"We will see where he is on Monday or on Tuesday. Manu has gone back to Leicester to get some treatment. They have what is called an AlterG machine. The machine supports you in a harness and allows you to run without putting your body-weight through your legs.
"There are different options - you could put Brad (Barritt) at 12 and JJ at 13 or put Billy at 12 and Brad at 13."
Lancaster is keeping his cards close to his chest and did not give any clues to his preferred starting XV when England trained in front of 6,000 people at Headingley on Friday with both Twelvetrees and Joseph spending time running alongside Barritt.
Lancaster must also make tough choices at full-back, hooker and scrum-half.
"On the first day back in camp you could see the excitement of every player who is vying to get the shirt," said Danny Care, who is battling for the number nine jersey with Ben Youngs.
"No-one is nailed on for a start. It is great for English rugby that there is so much strength in depth.
"It is a good battle at nine. I am happy with how I have played but there is no indication yet of who will play. It keeps everyone on their toes."
Comments
APV1 says...
MT is awesome and his skills and pace are ever-improving. But he should not play if not fully fit.
In the long-term I see Farrell, 12Trees and Tuilagi as our starting combo, with Burns and Barritt on the bench. But this week, if he's not 100% fit, I'd start with Farrell, 12trees and Barritt, with Flood and JJ on the bench.
Posted 10:42 28th January 2013
simojukes says...
have to agree with armchair general, and hellovanite.
also, pretty sure that Jean de Villiers had a few good words to say about Manu after he got bounced a few times...
Tuilagi is causing havoc for some of the best players in recent years... that suggests he is doing something right.
completely agree with hellovanite about how he is similar to nonu, especially how he sucks in defenders. i do however think manu has to develop his passing, offloading and even a bit of kicking, to be up to the standard of nonu.
Posted 11:36 27th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
No real impression FISH???!! Tell Wallace the ex Irish flanker that.
Posted 23:27 26th January 2013
simojukes says...
@Heathy, i understand now, especially based on his response to me!
@FISH - although i probably shouldn't indulge you by responding, i shall give in to my better judgement. Tuilagi is viewed as probably the single most important attacking threat by anyone who has anything to do with english rugby, because he is that effective. whether he does the damage himself, or if he simply sucks in enough people that his team mates find extra space, he has an effect on every test match he plays. Need i remind you, at the end of the day, that he is still only 21!?!?
there is a reason that most lions supporters feel tuilagi already has his seat booked on the plane. he has the physical presence to threaten even the best teams. combined with BOD, Davies or even Roberts, tuilagi will create the space and time to give any of these players a chance to look even better (and that is saying something, because all 3 are absolutely world class already)
Posted 23:02 26th January 2013
hellovanite says...
Tuilagi is young so lay off him. He reminds me of Nonu and the lad should continue to improve so we shall see if he reaches his potential or not. Like Nonu he draws 2 defenders and that in itself speaks volumes. Consistency is what he must achieve and he is well on his way. He will have good and bad days as well as great days, so cut him some slack. I hate to admit it but England have many viable options in this area at the moment and this is because the level of the Aviva has grown steadily over the years to now be a comparable comp to any domestic league. For whatever reason those who continue to live in the past need to pop their heads back into the sand. Look I am a Kiwi and I kind of hope they get thrashed by someone in the 6N as they are getting far to confident, and that's becoming a bit scary. Good for rugby though!
Posted 21:54 26th January 2013
FISH says...
his game against n.z... i feel the rest of his games he was a solid player, but left no real impression and was rather mediocre.....and pretty weak on defense, i'd rather see twelvetrees get a nod
Posted 17:33 26th January 2013
Heathy says...
@ simojukes - FISH is a troller. You should read his other posts. He actually doesnt know anything about rugby so best just ignore him.
Posted 17:10 26th January 2013
simojukes says...
word is they have been trying all different combinations. including all 3 10's and each center having a go. i think the options for 13 are either JJ or Barritt - Farrell at a stretch. 12 will then be either Barritt, 12T's, Flood or Farrell.
Manu would be a big loss. @FISH, i am interested to see which you feel is his only good game, as i recall more than just 1...
regardless of whether people feel he is overrated or not, he gets over the gain line, and he pulls in more defenders, therefore freeing up space for his teammates.
Posted 14:06 26th January 2013
NHsaints says...
Give the lad a break, we need to prove to ourselves that we can manage without him in the midfield and it's the perfect oppertunity to demonstrate our depth, squad strength and most of all to give some guys some much needed international exposure. I'd probably have my money on a Barritt-JJ midfield because of solidarity of it and it offers a little more in attack, however any of the 3 could make up the combination...I know it's unlikely but it would be good to take Barritt off in the second half if we're well ahead and replace him with twelvetrees.
Posted 12:42 26th January 2013
FISH says...
over rated anyway, i think he's only ever had one good game in the english jersey
Posted 12:25 26th January 2013
rugbylover says...
Obviously not fit - he was so tired after intercepting & scoring against the All Blacks, he had to slow to a walk, poor fellow.
Posted 10:19 26th January 2013