Manu Tuilagi braced to kick up a storm in England’s Wales showdown

If there is one man England are keen to see back fit and singing the anthems at Twickenham, it is Manu Tuilagi. With the possible exception of Storm Eunice, few are better equipped to flatten anything in their path and the red-rose management are advising Wales to batten down the hatches when they head to Twickenham this weekend.

With their opening-round defeat in Scotland having, in effect, left England needing to win all their remaining games to be title contenders, the news that Tuilagi is back fully fit and firing has been a tonic for the troops. Barring any mishaps in training this week, he is set to feature in a Six Nations fixture for the first time in 721 days.

His last championship appearance was against Wales nearly two years ago, when he scored a try and then collected a red card in a breathless 33-30 home win. Now, having proved his fitness for Sale Sharks following the hamstring injury he suffered while scoring his fine early try against the world champions, South Africa, in November, he has impressed the England management in training and poses a clear threat to Welsh ambitions.

According to England’s defence coach, Anthony Seibold, the Tuilagi effect is significant whether or not England are in possession. “On both sides of the ball he’s a powerful weapon,” says Seibold, who is no stranger to big physical units from his time in Australian rugby league. “That’s been him for the last 11 years, carrying the ball. But just as important, if not more so, his contact around the defence is very good.

“You saw the first couple of actions against Quins the other day. He played the last 30 minutes and his first two or three shots in contact were dominant ones. He brings a physical presence, there’s no doubt about