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'The right thing': How the Tuilagi, Jones call unfolded on Monday

(Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images for Sale Sharks)

Alex Sanderson has shed light on the conversation that was had between England boss Eddie Jones and fit-again midfielder Manu Tuilagi which resulted in the Sale player getting the go-ahead to continue his comeback at the Gallagher Premiership club rather than get rushed back into the international set-up.

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The new midfield combination of Henry Slade operating at inside centre with Elliot Daly stationed outside him in the No13 channel didn’t set the world alight at Murrayfield in the Guinness Six Nations opener. 

There was a temptation to recall Tuilagi to the mix for next Sunday’s round two England game away to Italy after the powerhouse centre emerged unscathed from his 30-minute comeback for Sale at Harlequins last weekend. 

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    However, it was instead decided over a phone call the next day to leave the 30-year-old in Manchester with a view to him starting in the Premiership next Saturday against Worcester rather than being recalled by England for the Italian job.

    “Manu is happy,” reported Sanderson when asked by RugbyPass how the decision was reached that Tuilagi will stay on at Sale for more game time rather than jump straight back into the England mix following an eleven-week stint on the sidelines after the hamstring injury picked up when scoring against the Springboks in November.   

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    “He was happy when I spoke to him because it was his conversation with Eddie, first and foremost, and I rang him back at half-past ten, eleven o’clock Monday and he was happy with how that conversation went because it is the right thing for him, it’s the best thing for him. It takes a big, well experienced and confident coach to leave someone of Manu’s ability out of his side. Especially with the pressure. 

    “He is always under pressure, Eddie, but under the pressure of losing the first match, you want to bring someone like Manu in because of what he adds around the training field, he can really bring that group together I believe, but Eddie has done the right thing by Manu which I think is fantastic and Manu is very happy with that as well. If squeezed he probably would have gone in, as players do, but he was given the option and he is staying with us.”

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    Tuilagi looked to be in rude health last Sunday at The Stoop following his latest lengthy layoff and Sanderson admitted the pair had a cuddle after the half-hour comeback passed off successfully on a day when Sale impressively defeated Harlequins. “He loved it, he’d a massive smile on his face and we just talked about how explosive he looked,” said the Sharks boss about what was said to Tuilagi post-game in London. 

    “He didn’t have much time ball in hand and when he did he could have tucked it and run over Danny Care – and everyone on the sideline was wishing he did. He didn’t, he gave the pass because it was the right thing to do. That is by the by, that is his performance, but immediately after the game, I’m like, ‘Jeez, you looked sharp, even on your weaker shoulder’. 

    He looked explosive and he has lost weight again as you can see. He is trimmer again which means he will be able to handle an increased amount of loading if he is played on the wing, for instance, the high-speed running is more England. 

    “The short and long of it is, I said, ‘Look, you have lost weight but you look more powerful, lighter on your feet almost’. So we just remarked on that a little bit. He said he loved it, looked good and that was it. We had a cuddle and cracked on.” 

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    PL 2 hours ago
    Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

    I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

    Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


    Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


    The officiating of last feet is non existent

    The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

    A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


    Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

    Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


    About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

    Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


    The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


    I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


    The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

    Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

    Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

    My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


    Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


    Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

    Last feet to last feet + 1 m


    When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


    As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


    Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

    25 were scrum for dissent


    Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


    All the s.ite would disappear


    The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


    Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

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