Manu Tuilagi: Sale and England to discuss management of centre after the Six Nations

Sale Sharks are planning to meet with England after the Six Nations to find a management solution for Manu Tuilagi in light of his latest injury.

Tuilagi was forced to withdraw from the England starting lineup against Wales after straining his hamstring and it has left him in doubt for the game against Ireland next weekend.

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson thinks that the England centre could potentially feature in the final clash in the competition against France.

Sanderson said he wants a joint approach with England so as to ensure the long-term fitness of Tuilagi.

The 30-year-old has been plagued by injury throughout his entire career and is still yet to fully recover from his torn hamstring suffered against South Africa in November.

Sanderson’s concern is not over England’s handling of Tuilagi – club and country are in close contact over his loading – but over ensuring the long-term availability of their prized asset.

“It was probably just a little bit too far, a little bit too soon. We’ve spoken to Eddie and liaised with England’s physios and S&C staff,” Sanderson said.

“We’re all on the same page and we need to catch up post-Six Nations to understand how we can potentially manage it better.

“But we’re struggling to see how we can at the moment, apart from it being too much too soon.

“You can look and delve into things and go down rabbit holes, but sometimes you can see ghosts which aren’t actually there. It’s important to understand that.

“The reason why we want to sit down together is over concern for the player. It’s not over grey areas. I just want us to be on the same page.

“There are email trails and phone calls. Everyone speaks to everyone. There are probably seven, eight or nine conversations going on