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Manu Tuilagi wants to stay in Premiership to fulfil England and British & Irish Lions ambitions

Manu Tuilagi - Manu Tuilagi wants to stay in Premiership to fulfil England and British & Irish Lions ambitions - ACTION IMAGES
Manu Tuilagi - Manu Tuilagi wants to stay in Premiership to fulfil England and British & Irish Lions ambitions - ACTION IMAGES

Manu Tuilagi’s desire to play for England and tour South Africa with the British and Irish Lions next summer is likely to keep him in the Premiership even if he leaves Leicester Tigers.

Telegraph Sport understands that 29-year-old Tuilagi, set to move on from Leicester after failing to agree amended terms with the East Midlands club, would be willing to take a drastic pay-cut to move elsewhere in England and prolong his Test career.

If he successfully claims for damages from Leicester, he could recoup some of the difference from his hefty Tigers wages while, crucially, remaining available to England.

His representatives are believed to be exploring that possibility while sounding out potential Premiership suitors.

Although squad budgets have been squeezed around the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the salary-cap reduction, Tuilagi could be a cut-price wildcard for any teams chasing the 2019-20 Premiership title.

On Wednesday, a source suggested that the names of Tuilagi and Jordan Taufua, also linked with a departure from Leicester, had been circulating among bosses of French clubs.

However, there was a “strong feeling that he will stay in the UK” among French recruiters on Thursday morning, both because very few Top 14 cubs would be able to meet his market value and because squads are close to settled ahead of the 2020-21 season start in September.

Given the Rugby Football Union’s selection policy, a move abroad would put Tuilagi’s England career on hold and possibly end it given his age and the midfield talent available to Eddie Jones.

Rugby Nerd REFERRAL (article)
Rugby Nerd REFERRAL (article)

When rugby union does eventually restart after an extended hiatus, Jones’ side can look forward to a run of fixtures between October and November following the conclusion of the Premiership campaign.

There is also the matter of a British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa next year and, though Tuilagi would be eligible while playing club rugby across the Channel, Test appearances would offer a window to demonstrate his form and match fitness to head coach Warren Gatland.

Tuilagi’s exit from Leicester would end a remarkable 20-year association between his family and the club which started when older Freddie arrived from rugby league club St Helens in 2000.

Four more siblings - Henry, Alesana, Anitelea and Vavae - have been associated with Tigers, as have Fred and Brian – the sons of Freddie.