Manu Tuilagi 'out for six to eight weeks' in devastating blow for new Top 14 club
Former England centre Manu Tuilagi will have to wait before he can debut for new club Bayonne in the Top 14 after he suffered a broken hand in pre-season.
Tuilagi brought his international career to an end after 60 appearances earlier this year when he decided to leave Sale and sign for French outfit Bayonne.
The 33-year-old, who suffered a string of injury issues during his 13 years in the England set-up, featured for Bayonne in Saturday’s 42-5 pre-season victory over Biarritz Olympique, but injured his left hand and is set for a spell on the sidelines.
A recovery time of six-to-eight weeks has been predicted by Bayonne, which would rule the ex-Leicester centre out of their Top 14 opener with Perpignan on September 7 and potentially delay his competitive debut until October.
“Following the preparation match against Biarritz Olympique, some players are returning to the infirmary (hospital),” a Bayonne statement read.
“Manu Tuilagi, with a broken hand, will be out for between six and eight weeks.
“We obviously wish a good and speedy recovery to all of our players who are currently unavailable.”
Tuilagi left Sale after their Gallagher Premiership play-off loss to Bath in June.
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Nah hes a journeyman. Right call
Go to commentsAgreed for the most part. And perhaps Dmac needed a period were he is the 'Hobson's choice' too.
Yes and no, they main concern I had from the situation is Razor didn't really explain why they had developed differing opinions, had he? I've seen too many things happen in life to jump the gun. Fall all we know it was a locked in choice before they found the difference last year and played out this year to see if they were recoverable. I can certainly see where it would be a valid criticism to suggest he spent too much time reviewing his players tripping overseas and not enough work with his team at that time. But things like Tony Brown not even being contacted in the lead up to the naming of the squad are endemic in the union, and for much just as much blame should be laid on someone like Wayne Smith. Some like Mitch would have been aval at the same time too I'd think.
Ultimately I see MacDs time at the Blues much as I saw Ian Fosters time at the Chiefs. Heavily overshadowed by their successors but you could find something good in there if you wanted. Same here. This will play out.
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