Tuilagi unlikely to return this season

Editor

Manu Tuilagi probably won't play again this season according to his Leicester coach Richard Cockerill.

The England centre has not played since October because of a groin injury and it seems he is still a little way off a return.

While he spent time with England during the Six Nations, Cockerill does not expect him to play again before the end of the season.

However Cockerill believes Tuilagi will have time to earn a spot in England's World Cup squad during the pre-tournament training camp.

"He's improving all the time but it's a long process," Cockerill told BBC 5 Live, after Leicester's win over Exeter on Saturday. "The likelihood now is he may not play this season.

"The likelihood is he will be fit for June and he'll join England for their World Cup camp.

"Hopefully he'll be involved in the World Cup warm-ups and have a huge say in how England do."