Six Nations 2022: Manu Tuilagi ready to return for England against Wales

England centre Manu Tuilagi is in «immense» physical shape and ready to return for the crunch Six Nations encounter with Wales on Saturday, says assistant coach Anthony Seibold.

Tuilagi, 30, missed England's first two Championship games with a hamstring injury he picked up in November.

But after his comeback for Sale earlier this month, England are confident the centre is fit to face Wales.

«He will be ready to play if selected,» said Seibold.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he added: «He's had a really good build-up — I watched him play against Quins a few weeks ago and Sale have done a fantastic job to progress his rehab.

»He's had 80 minutes of rugby and a full week in camp. His body is in good condition and his body weight to power output is immense at the moment."

As has so often been the case over the past decade, Tuilagi's return can solve England's midfield conundrum, at least temporarily.

Head coach Eddie Jones selected Henry Slade alongside Elliot Daly in the opening-day defeat in Scotland, a skilful combination but one that lacked punch and physical presence.

Jones can now reunite Slade with Tuilagi, a pairing that worked to great effect in some of England's best wins on Jones' watch, such as away in Ireland in 2019 and the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Australia later that year.

Seibold, who joined Jones' backroom team in September 2021, said Tuilagi's size and explosive power will give England additional options in attack and defence.

«The obvious attribute is that physical presence on both sides of the ball,» he said.

«He creates momentum when he carries the ball in attack and defensively he is so good with his first contact.

»The only other thing to add to that is his decision-making as an edge defender is