Manu Tuilagi embodies some of the greatest attributes of rugby: huge physicality, a big tackler and a pair of thighs as big as tree trunks. However his string of injury setbacks for the last two years have kept him off of the field. Some say that his omission from the Rugby World Cup and the previous two Six Nations is proof that he’s not had enough recent experience at the international level. However, after the disaster that was England’s RWC – being the first host country ever to be knocked out in the group stage – perhaps it’s time to reintroduce the Samoan-born bulldog. What does his club coach, international coach and the public have to say on the Manu Tuilagi Six Nations prediction?
Leicester Tigers, Manu’s club side, have urged Eddie Jones not to select Tuilagi for the upcoming Six Nations clash against Wales with reports that he’s not ready. However, Tuilagi’s weekend performance for his club against Exeter Chiefs told a different story. Manu scored one of Leicester’s four tries and put in some trademark thumping tackles proving that his groin and hamstring niggles are currently not too much of a problem.
So what position will Manu play? Stuart Lancaster had tried nine different midfield centre combinations for England’s starting 12 and 13 in Tuilagi’s absence. With Jonathan Joseph making his mark and earning the right to wear the #13 shirt, most assume Tuilagi will come on for either Farrell or Ford at 12 against Wales, despite 13 being his favoured position. However, Eddie Jones has stated that he has always thought Manu was an inside centre. Aaron Mauger (Ex All Black and current Leicester Tiger’s head coach) believes Manu will be a “special package” when he can kick and pass as well as he runs.
So why is Manu better suited at inside centre, more so than outside? Well, for a few reasons. Firstly, Jonathan Joseph has earned his shirt, scoring a hat-trick against Italy earlier in the campaign and always being one of England’s biggest attacking threats. Secondly, Tuilagi is a puncturing player who England use to drive the ball up and get over the gain line. This sucks in the opposition’s backline defence from a scrum or lineout so that England can play their next quick phase out nice and wide, using all the space that Manu has gifted them. The best thing about this tactic is that it gives England the opportunity to give the ball further out the pitch to where they’re most lethal – out wide to the likes of Joseph, Brown, Nowell and Watson.
“But why can’t Tuilagi do this at 13?” I hear you ask. Well, he can, but not quite as effectively and with a bit more risk. If Tuilagi plays 12, he’s closer to the scrum or lineout and when he does eventually get tackled, England have a greater chance of re-securing possession of the ball as their forwards are closer to his line break than they would be if he was playing 13. The other main reason is to give England the extra running man (Jonathan Joseph) outside. Under Eddie Jones, England have resorted to a good old fashioned style of rugby – strong, no nonsense forwards who’re prepared to put their heads where nobody else will and lightning fast backs, who exploit the gaps that the forwards have created for the team.
So, if Farrell is the one to sub off in the second half, will the team become dysfunctional? Can Ford cope with bossing the game around by himself? Will he step up to the plate with the kicking tee? England so far, with Farrell and Ford both starting, have had the luxury of two fly halves, two game leaders and two strong kickers in open play. Has Tuilagi got the same rugby brain as Farrell, or is he just a hard hitter. Despite it mainly being a matter of speculation, I predict the smartest option is for Ford to be replaced by Tuilagi and for Farrell to shift in to fly half.
Many liken Tuilagi’s playing style to Billy Vunipola’s. Both players on the pitch would give England lots of opportunities to get over the gain line, both in the forward pack and the backs. With Billy having been awarded two Man of the Match titles out of England’s three Six Nations wins, he will undoubtedly be the other big player to watch out for.
Will Manu Tuilagi win England the Six Nations? The tournament needs to be approached a game at a time but Tuilagi creates line-breaks, puts defenders on the back foot, makes game changing tackles and puts the fear of God in his opposite man. He can only do well this weekend against Wales and it’s not so much a question of: is he ready for England, more so: is Wales ready for him?
Main Photo
