Special envoy to Lyon
His last match with England dates back to the small final of the last World Cup, won against Argentina (26-23). This Saturday, Manu Tuilagi, replacing the Crunch against the Blues, should make his return with the XV de la Rose. “I feel very lucky to be able to rejoin the team. We have an incredible team. For me, it’s an opportunity to seize, I love it,” he confided at Groupama Stadium, during the traditional press conference before the match.
Hit in the hamstring, the Sale player was champing at the bit for a long time, on his sofa, before returning to the selection for the last match of this 2024 Tournament. “I observed the boys and what I saw was exciting . Any time you have the opportunity to be part of this team, it’s a blessing, he continued. It was an extraordinary campaign.”
Obviously, his near future was also mentioned. Since several Top 14 clubs would like to enlist him. Notably Montpellier, Bayonne or even Perpignan, where he could play alongside his nephew, the Blues phenomenon, Posolo Tuilagi. But the England international preferred to kick into touch. “I hope I can get on the pitch on Saturday. To be honest, I don’t really know what I’ll do tomorrow! For me to represent England and have this opportunity is a blessing and I’m looking forward to it.”
Asked whether this summit match could be the last of his storied international career if he joins France, he added: “Every time I represent England it might be my last match. Every game could be your last, so you have to make the most of it and enjoy it.”