Manu Tuilagi in Six Nations blow for England while prop ruled out long-term

Centre Manu Tuilagi has picked up yet another injury and will miss the start of the Six Nations, according to Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson.

It is the latest setback for the midfield powerhouse, who has only just returned to action after breaking his hand during the Rugby World Cup.

He managed the issue through to the end of the global tournament but was forced to spend a month on the sidelines after the World Cup to recuperate.

Lasted one-and-a-half games

Tuilagi made his first Sale appearance of the season against Stade Francais in the Champions Cup before facing Saracens in the Premiership last week.

The 32-year-old was replaced early in the second half of that clash and Sanderson has revealed that he will likely miss England’s Six Nations opener against Italy at the very least.

“Manu has pulled his groin and doesn’t need an operation and we think he will be back during the Six Nations but not for the first week of it,” Sale’s director of rugby told reporters.

“He has suffered a grade 3 linear muscle tear of an adductor in the groin. Grade 4 is serious and Grade 2 is not so serious and so it is somewhere in between.

“The Six Nations is not too far away and he will be back. I spoke to him and he said he needs to play and then it will be up to England. He was in the frame and he has already stated his intent to keep playing international rugby.

“Six weeks is the recommended time for the injury and Manu is saying four. I haven’t been told it’s a recurring injury and he has had issues with his hamstring in the past and it is all connected with the pelvic girdle.

“There was no indications on the field and he just felt it early in the second half and is that aware of his body that he called over the physio and said something has gone here. He is a little bit wiser.

“I am happy that if anyone can stay in that happy frame of mind it is Manu and he is already future-focused about getting back on the field.”

Talented prop out

England boss Steve Borthwick will also be without loosehead Bevan Rodd, who has had surgery on an injured toe.

Rodd’s club, Sale, were initially hopeful that he would be able to get through it without an operation, but he has been forced to go under the knife.

It means that unlike Tuilagi, who should play a part in the annual international tournament, the prop won’t be back until after it has finished.

“Bevan has been operated on and he won’t be back until post Six Nations,” Sanderson added.

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