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When it comes to rugby dynasties, they don’t come much more famous – or for that matter sizeable – than the Tuilagis.
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Ever since Freddie Tuilagi first ran out for Leicester Tigers in 2000, the Tuilagi name has become a byword for destructive power on a rugby field. Be it their hard carries or even harder hits, the Samoan family members are to be feared on the pitch as much as they have celebrated off it as good family men and teammates.
And there’s a new Tuilagi off the rank. Posolo Tuilagi is the outsized son of Henry ‘The Butcher’ Tuilagi (6’1, 128kg) and the nephew of Freddie, Alesana, Vavae and England international Manu.
Very much his father’s son in terms of physique, Posolo stands 6’4 and weighs in at an eye-watering 145kg according to his USAP website profile, although he is listed at 149kg on French rugby database All.rugby. That translates to 23 stone 6 pounds in imperial (328 pounds).
Posolo made his debut for Perpignan this weekend at the tender age of 18, although clearly he already possesses the physical attributes to mix it in senior rugby. The giant teenager was sprung from the bench and came in as a second row, although his side were pummelled 43-8 by La Rochelle, with the game already out of sight by the time he made his entrance.
All.rugby list Posolo as Samoan, although he was born while Henry was playing his rugby at Leicester Tigers between 2003 to 2007. France have already flagged their interest in the enormous teenager, having called him into France Under-18 team to face Italy back in March.
He isn’t the first of the next generation of Tuilagis mind. Fred Jnr came through the Leicester Academy system as No.8/loosehead. The 6’3, 120kg son of Freddie Tuilagi made eight appearances for Leicester Tigers before spending a couple of seasons with Colorno and London Scottish respectively. The 25-year-old is listed as playing for Chinnor RFC in the RFU National 1 League.
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Fred’s brother Brian also came through the Leicester Tigers academy before moving to Newcastle and then Saracens. The 6’3, 110kg back row is currently playing for London Scottish, having previously made 12 appearances for Dax in the ProD2 back in 2016/17.
145.... what????