Manu Tuilagi may not be featuring in this year’s World Cup, but the void left by his absence will provide many a headache for Stuart Lancaster, who perhaps would have been looking to use the Leicester centre as a powerhouse in midfield alongside those who shone in this year’s Six Nation’s campaign.
With the announcement of his England training squad next Wednesday, Lancaster will be rapidly rethinking his plans after it was revealed on Friday that Tuilagi will not be selected due to pleading guilty to assaulting police officers and causing criminal damage. Lancaster said:
“As role models and ambassadors for the game, the highest standards of behaviour are expected from every England player both on and off the field. Having spoken to Manu, he understands and accepts both the seriousness of the offences to which he has pleaded guilty and the consequences of his behaviour to his club, country and game as a whole.”
With Manu “unreservedly” apologetic to his club and country, as well as those involved, and hoping “for a future chance” to prove himself again, the public are reminded of his other misdemeanours that have previously thrown England Rugby into the shadow of a dark cloud. Most notably, his actions during the 2011 World Cup (where he jumped off a ferry into Auckland waters) left him facing criminal charges, although a fine, a slap on the wrist and a few stern words from RFU staff were all he endured. Having been side-lined due to injury for most of this season, it was hoped that he would join England ahead of summer international fixtures as a warm up to the World Cup, beginning in September, and solidify a strong relationship in the midfield with other centres who have been nipping at his heels in recent years. Jonathan Joseph was thought to be the front-runner to pair up with the 23 year old after having a sublime Six Nations campaign and producing perfected moments of play for Bath Rugby this season. For a player who has benefitted from Tuilagi’s absence in the England squad of late, it was rumoured that Lancaster had plans to cement these two together at 12 and 13 to provide the team with a brutish backbone going into a difficult Pool A at the World Cup. However with Tuilagi now axed, it leaves England rugby fans in debate as to who might step up to the mark.
This year’s Six Nations were almost like an audition for possible combinations, although mixed reviews came for Luther Burrell and Kyle Eastmond who, when played next to Joseph, displayed slight promise due to their experience at Bath together. There is also the possibility of Sam Burgess to come into question after making the England Saxons squad despite being in the Union game for a matter of weeks. His try-out period continues; Bath have recently been playing him in the forward pack, most likely for him to get a feel of where he plays best before committing to certain position. Nevertheless, in the situation where a spot may come available, it would be unimaginable for him not to put his hand up to be selected for centre.
Billy Twelvetrees made little impact during England’s games during the campaign, and failed to provide the wow factor that England are desperate to utilise. The Gloucester player gave no inspiration within the team and, unlike Tuilagi and Joseph, does not draw in players to free up space across the pitch. A less than exciting pick, Twelvetrees is unsurprisingly likely to be looked over in favour of Eastmond and Burrell.
The issue at centre is that whoever is chosen to work together, they must be slick and concise enough in play but powerful and determined enough in strength as to master the defence of the opposition. 43 different combinations have been tested since the World Cup winning 2003 team, which announced Will Greenwood and Mike Tindall as the tenacious two, with the odd show of Mike Catt to liven things up during the tournament.
Having not had a trusted partnership strong enough to be the backbone of a XV since the early 2000’s, England are desperate to strike gold before the World Cup. The fact that Tuilagi is now ruled out will send Lancaster back to the drawing board and looking elsewhere for that diamond combination every English fan is hoping to see. However, amidst all this ambiguity and restlessness, one thing is for sure; Manu has surely let down those who were desperate for him to be England’s hero in the teams hour of need.
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