LONDON – After being stood down from International rugby until January 2016 at the earliest, Manu Tuilagi’s position might be filled by Bath Centre and rugby league convert Sam Burgess
The former South Sydney Rabbitoh switched to Rugby Union in the later stages of 2014 after leading the Rabbitohs to the National Rugby League Premiership. Chasing a 2015 Rugby World Cup birth, the 26 year old hasn’t had it all his own way since coming up north.
With only four tries in 19 appearances, he hasn’t set the world on fire, more filling gaps at flanker and centre than really taking hold of a position. This has meant that he has, at times, appeared out of position and has struggled with not so much the physicality but the continuity of the game.
However it looks like he might get the nod for the 50-man summer training squad and with England now lacking an imposing physical presence in the midfield after Tuilagi’s enforced suspension, he might prove to come in handy.
If anything, it would be good to see how he fares in the summer Internationals against Ireland and France.
