Manu Tuilagi comes to the defence of England amid Six Nations woes

After a month on the sidelines, Manu Tuilagi will return to action on Saturday for Bayonne against Clermont in the opening fixture of Top 14 round 18. He will do so under new head coach Gerard Fraser, who has replaced Grégory Patat at Aviron Bayonnais.

Speaking at Thursday’s pre-match press conference, the 60-cap England international appeared reluctant to dwell on the change in leadership.

When asked whether his Bayonne team-mates had been teasing him after England’s difficult start to the Six Nations, having lost two of their opening three matches, his mood quickly shifted.

“It was a tough Monday for me!” he said with a smile, before firmly backing his national side.

“There was a low point after the Scotland game, but having spoken with the lads, it hasn’t changed who they are. Teams go through ups and downs. People forget these lads have won 12 games in a row. But that’s human nature. You lose two matches and suddenly it’s a disaster, almost the end of the world. But that’s life — you either win or you lose.”

A potential blessing in disguise ahead of the World Cup

After opening with a bonus-point win over Wales (48-7), England were beaten in Scotland (31-20) before suffering a heavy home defeat to Ireland at Twickenham (21-42). The backlash in the English media was swift and fierce.

For Tuilagi, who turns 35 in May, experience brings perspective. He believes adversity can ultimately benefit Steve Borthwick’s squad.

“I think it can actually be a good thing for a team to go through difficult moments. It strengthens and brings the group closer together. I don’t see it as a huge problem because the main objective is to build towards the World Cup. There’s still time to get back to winning ways.”

England travel to Italy on March 7 before finishing their campaign away to France the following week.