Sale Sharks want talks with England rugby bosses over injury-prone Tuilagi

Sale Sharks are keen to meet with the England rugby management after the Six Nations to ensure injury-prone Manu Tuilagi spends more time on the field than the treatment table.

England had hoped that last weekend's match against Wales would mark Tuilagi's return to Test action following three months out with a hamstring problem.

But just hours after being named in the starting XV for the match, the powerhouse centre was withdrawn with a "low-grade" hamstring injury.

England coach Eddie Jones is renowned for his intense training sessions, which the veteran Australian boss insists are necessary to prepare players for the demands of international rugby.

Jones left Tuilagi out of a training squad announced on Wednesday ahead of England's fourth-round match against Ireland at Twickenham on 12 March.

Alex Sanderson, in charge of the 30-year-old Tuilagi at Premiership club Sale, still thinks the midfield dynamo could feature in England's Six Nations finale away to France a week later.

But Sanderson, reflecting on the build-up to the Wales match, said: "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 (strength and conditioning) staff.

"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."

Tuilagi has a physical presence few midfielders can match and is also deceptively skilful but although he has won 46 England caps, he has missed 80 Tests since his debut.

Sale director of rugby Sanderson said England should take heart from Tuilagi's form and base-level fitness a year before 2023 World Cup in France.

"The positives are that he'll be back in a week or two, he's in great form, he's positive