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The Sale verdict on Manu Tuilagi being omitted by England
Sale boss Alex Sanderson believes that a simmering Manu Tuilagi is ready to prove that his England career isn’t over when he faces Northampton at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday. Tuilagi saw Bath’s Ollie Lawrence chosen in the defence-busting role against Italy after Harlequins’ Joe Marchant was the previous weekend picked to partner Test captain Owen Farrell in the loss to Scotland.
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Those selection decisions by new England boss Steve Borthwick left the Sale centre surplus to requirements the last two weekends in the Guinness Six Nations. Club boss Sanderson has now spoken to all of his unwanted England players – Tuilagi, Bevan Rodd and Jonny Hill – who have been left out of head coach Borthwick’s latest 26-man training squad and is confident they are mentally and physically ready to take on the Saints.
The Sale team will also feature fit-again Tom Curry and out-half George Ford, who is 40 minutes into his comeback from serious injury. Sanderson wouldn’t be surprised if both were added to the England squad next week in the build up to the round three Test match versus Wales in Cardiff on February 25.
Tuilagi especially wants to force his way back in and prove that he is not yesterday’s man for England at the age of 31. Sanderson said: “Manu is all smiles but underneath I sense a simmering and he definitely wants to show the powers at be that they made the wrong decision in not selecting him. I would say he has a point to prove – all our England boys do.
“We have done the right thing by him and maybe it is a stroke of genius by Steve to motivate Manu to produce some of his best rugby. The more game time Manu gets, the more special things we are going to see. We have to make sure that doesn’t boil over into indiscipline or hurting someone.
“Manu is one of the world’s best centres with a point to prove and I would be daft not to pick him this weekend. Obviously England, to some degree, must be questioning his recent form and he has been good for us with more game time and more robust. That is what we wanted to fix with managing his loading and he is feeling fresh.
“We have addressed the England situation (with the players) and if they were still kicking stones then I wouldn’t be doing my job right. They wouldn’t be resilient enough and it won’t be the first time in this environment. I am impressed with how excited they are and we have to make sure they are on Sale’s page not England’s.
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“Tom Curry is available this weekend and it is the same with George Ford. If they can prove they are fit and in form, there is a very good chance they will be included (by England). It will be up to Steve to decide about George after seven months out with 40 minutes and whatever he gets at the weekend, but he is looking really sharp. He is right back on the bike and making a big impact at training.”
Ben Curry, the starting openside versus Scotland, was the only Sale player named by Borthwick in the squad of 26 for this week’s Six Nations fallow week training camp in London.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
46 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments