ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

'He looks massive! Not out of shape massive, just strong as a bull' - Sanderson on Tuilagi return from injury

BY Grant Constable  ·  Thursday May 27, 2021

Manu Tuilagi will make his long-awaited comeback from a ruptured Achilles tendon when Sale face Gallagher Premiership leaders Bristol on Friday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tuilagi is poised to make his first appearance since September after being named on the bench for the AJ Bell Stadium showdown.

Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson said this week that the England centre looks “scarily powerful” and “strong as a bull” in training.

Tuilagi’s return is a major boost for Sale, who are guaranteed a place in the Premiership play-offs and mathematically could finish as high as first.

Given he is an automatic selection when fit, it is also a big lift for England as they look towards summer Tests against the United States and Canada.

The British and Irish Lions will be monitoring his fitness carefully as well in the event that one of their centres is injured on the tour to South Africa.

Tuilagi was left out of the original 37-man squad because of concerns over his lack of game time, but Warren Gatland has said he is still on the Lions’ radar.

ADVERTISEMENT

Apart from guiding Tuilagi back to his explosive best, one of Sale’s key tasks for the remaining three matches of the regular season and their play-off campaign is to stamp out their indiscipline.

“We’ve won nine of 11 matches when we’ve received 21 yellow. So that’s not a fluke. It can’t be a fluke,” Sanderson said.

“We’ve got something special here. When our backs are against the wall, we tend to galvanise and energise. That’s a really strong behaviour trait that I want to keep hold of – I’d just rather we had that mentality with 15 men on the field.

“We will be tougher to beat with 15 on the field and it’s something we keep talking about.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Bristol will travel to Manchester in pursuit of an important prize that excites director of rugby Pat Lam.

“This is the final stretch. The most important thing for us is that we have an opportunity, with five points on offer, four points will seal a home semi,” Lam said.

“That’s the big incentive – to get the win and if we can secure a home semi-final with two games to go, it will be a tremendous effort.”

In Friday night’s second fixture, Gloucester host London Irish at Kingsholm.

Related Articles

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Bielle-Biarrey & Penaud stunning long-range...

  • 24 WEEKS AGO

    Springbok star leaves Ulster Rugby following...

  • 25 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Gray to exit Exeter Chiefs with immediate...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Christian Wade secures incredible HATRICK in just second match back in the Gallagher Premiership

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Results: Another exciting weekend of international rugby complete

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: South African schoolboy leaves defenders clutching at ghosts

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 11 HOURS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Fans call for Stuart Hogg to face punishment after altercation involving ball boy

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leigh Halfpenny given harsh welcome to English rugby

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Next big Scotland star completes IMPOSSIBLE tackle to win his side the match

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Antoine Dupont’s latest side quest

View All

Funnies

  • 6 HOURS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 1 DAY AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    'I have win!' Mathieu Raynal's hilarious player interaction caught on ref mic

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Siya Kolisi recalls ultimate 'bro moment' with Eben Etzebeth

View All

Amateur

  • 92 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 92 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 115 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 115 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 115 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    'It was an easy decision for me' - Saints star commits to future

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Next big Scotland star completes IMPOSSIBLE tackle to win his side the match

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    A return to the England squad for Saracens star after six years in the wilderness

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Marcus Smith removed from position amid injury crisis

View All