Richard Cockerill: They wanted to deport Manu Tuilagi – but I stepped in

Were it not for Richard Cockerill, Manu Tuilagi might have been an integral part of Samoa’s plans to upset England at next year’s World Cup. Everyone would have had to navigate a number of sliding doors in the interim, of course. But, back in 2009, Cockerill helped represent the youngster as he lobbied the Government to obtain a visa so he could avoid deportation and stay on these shores.

The previous year, Tuilagi had made a first-team debut for Leicester in an exhibition match against the Classic All Blacks at Welford Road. It was already apparent that the teenager, who will finally hit 50 England caps against South Africa this weekend, possessed immense potential.

“When I first saw him play for the first team, against the Classic All Blacks when he was bowling people over at 17, you knew he was going to be a special talent because of what he could do at that age,” said Cockerill, then part of the Leicester coaching set-up, on Friday.

“Then I found out he didn’t have a visa and might have to go home – that was a slight issue. [People asked] ’Why aren’t you picking him?’ ‘I’m not really sure I can tell you…’

“He’s a special player and to get to 50 caps is a special landmark for him,” added Cockerill. “I would have thought he’d have gotten here a bit quicker but it’s credit to him that he is doing what he is doing with all the adversity that he’s had.”

Primarily, the “adversity” cited by Cockerill pertains to the catalogue of injuries that have delayed this milestone and threatened to derail Tuilagi’s career. He will reach a half-century some 11 years and three months after his Test match introduction in a World Cup warm-up win over Wales.

Danny Care and Richard Wigglesworth are the only members of that England to be resisting retirement. Riki Flutey was Tuilagi’s midfield partner that afternoon. Owen Farrell, a team-mate since the age-grade ranks, fulfils that role as South Africa are welcomed to Twickenham for a repeat of the 2019 World Cup final. England’s captain counts Tuilagi as an “inspiration”.

“I don’t think there’d be a team in the world who wouldn’t appreciate his talent,” said Farrell of Tuilagi. “He’s been as exciting as he is now, since he was 18. To do it for all those years, to have as many setbacks as he’s had and to run out in front of the team tomorrow – and I’m sure he’ll get the ovation that he deserves – is fantastic.

“There is no-one who loves playing rugby more. Sometimes he reminds me and I take massive inspiration from him; that with everything that’s going on and how much you are focusing on the performance and working to get better, he loves the game so much. There’s always a smile on his face out there, especially in moments like these.

“Sometimes I look to the side and he’s got a smile on his face next to me and it reminds me that it’s a game we love playing and this is why you do it. That’s a big inspiration for me sometimes.”

Tuilagi’s positivity and his perspective on life have received continuous praise this autumn. On Thursday, Eddie Jones was asked whether he ever doubted that Tuilagi would make it to 50 for England. “I go to church a lot,” came the response.

While Jones praised the work that Sale Sharks have done with Tuilagi’s conditioning, England will need contingencies. It is worth highlighting that Henry Slade had replaced Tuilagi prior to the three-try blitz against New Zealand. Tommy Freeman is a powerful presence in the backline, albeit on the wing, and the in-form Ollie Lawrence will surely come into the World Cup conversation.

None of that is Tuilagi’s problem to solve, and his feat should be celebrated on Saturday. Cockerill expects a good number of siblings and family members to attend. He remembers the pastoral side of being Tuilagi’s club coach through on and off-field scrapes. In 2011, when Tuilagi had jumped off a ferry in Auckland, Cockerill felt it necessary to ask: “Mate, what the f--- are you doing?” Earlier that year, a flurry of punches to the head of Chris Ashton had earned a five-week ban. Cockerill, evidently an important mentor, jokingly congratulated Tuilagi.

“I brought him into the office and said ‘Look, you can’t behave like that… but f------ well done’,” he said. “You have to balance it with a bit of humour. He wants support. But you have a player like that, with that energy and that aggression, you’re going to have to look after them. That’s what I did for him and other players.”

Prior to the anthems on Saturday, when Tuilagi runs out to what will be a loud and wholehearted reception, Cockerill will not be the only one feeling a sense of pride.