Thu 3 Mar 2016 | 10:35
Manu Tuilagi's big hit on Blair Cowan in Leicester Tigers romp

9
Comments

Leicester Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi made a return to the Premiership recently, leading to him being called up to the England training squad. He put in a solid performance against London Irish this past weekend, including a tackle that Blair Cowan wasn't too pleased with.

Cowan, the New Zealand born Scotland forward, had just returned to the Premiership himself following disappointment against Wales in the Six Nations, when Jamie Roberts knocked him out with a big tackle.

Receiving a bit of a hospital-pass with Tuilagi lurking would have been the last thing he wanted.

On his return to the Premiership, 24-year-old Tuilagi made a controversial tackle on Winston Stanley, but played reasonably well and was happy to be back playing again.

The England back then contributed to Tigers' 47-20 win this past weekend with some nice touches, the likes of which would have impressed midfield partner Jean de Villiers, the Springbok captain who scored a try on his Leicester Tigers home debut.

"Whether he starts or you bring him on for 20 minutes, he will make a big impact and England are better off [for having him]. The balance of the side is so much better with someone like him there."

Tuilagi last played for England in June 2014 against New Zealand, but could make a welcome return against Wales when the two sides meet in a crucial Six Nations clash on March 12th.

View the tackle above, and highlights of the seven-try demolition of London Irish below

9 Comments

  • dancarter
    3:25 PM 05/03/2016

    How is the pitch at Welford road considered an acceptable playing surface? One of the in goal areas has no grass on it whatsoever and I'm sure that last season they had a 5m patch with no grass inside one of the touchlines that went all the way up the field.

  • dancarter
    3:23 PM 05/03/2016

    What would the fine be for? (I watch NFL when I can during the season but I'm not totally up on all the rules yet)

  • heavyhooker
    11:46 PM 04/03/2016

    CoachKing, I was thinking the same thing. Tuilangi has a lot of great hits on RD, but his technique generally sucks. One day he is going to do some real damage to himself if he goes up against a real brute who has an elbow in just the right place.

    Kid...don't do this at home.

  • 10stonenumber10
    6:09 PM 04/03/2016

    How many English kids are named David after Mr. Posh Spice, and Jonathan after Wilko?

    I'm definitely naming my future son (or unlucky daughter) Sergio, It can only be a matter of time before a Manusamoa Doublington-Barrelford comes along.

  • rugbydump
    5:26 PM 04/03/2016

    Yeah, here you go: Castrogiovanni stamp on toe

  • stroudos
    10:40 PM 03/03/2016

    Bore off, John. Everyone knows Tuilagi's Samoan born, it's barely worth mentioning now. Far less well known that Blair Cowan is half Kiwi.

  • jimmy23
    3:22 PM 03/03/2016

    Not only was it a great hit, but that was a wonderful little pass he threw at 1:13

  • drg
    3:08 PM 03/03/2016

    Cheers for the vid RD. BTW, any videos lurking of Castrogiovanni stamp against a Scottish player... he's been banned for 2 weeks and perhaps I missed everything but this is the first I've even heard OF a stamp...

  • rugbydump
    2:26 PM 03/03/2016

    The man is that good.
    *NZ