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Tuilagi rumours have left a trail of confusion on Twitter
After Manu Tuilagi was seen at Top 14 outfit Racing 92’s training ground recently, it has caused quite a stir on Twitter.
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Rumours seem to be mounting that the Leicester and England centre could be making a move to the French capital on a three year deal after the World Cup.
This has caused a lot of confusion amongst England fans, as they cannot quite make sense of the timing of this move, as Tuilagi has just worked his way back into the England team after years of persistent injuries and off-field misdemeanours.
Many people may have thought that the big centre’s international career was over as he simply could not make a run of games. The fact that he is back to his best in an England shirt is why so many fans are questioning this move.
https://twitter.com/BarryLargent/status/1096419127978278912
https://twitter.com/ieubird/status/1096426866955767811
https://twitter.com/therocketncw/status/1096354752634519552
https://twitter.com/Rreesrugby/status/1096389754919288832
https://twitter.com/sansom_tom/status/1096379859788533760
Feel like he owes a certain degree of loyalty to Tigers after how much they stuck by him through the years – plus he must be one of Tigers highest paid players
— Alex Blackwell (@alexblackwell88) February 15, 2019
However, a lot of fans understand that it is his career at the end of the day, and it makes sense to go somewhere that can offer you security. Racing are one of the most free-spending clubs in Europe, and that would certainly have been on Tuilagi’s mind. Particularly, a long-term deal is good for a player that is very injury prone, and that may have been something that Leicester were not willing to give.
https://twitter.com/FarmerBeary/status/1096424910023544832
I feel like this is genuinely a 50/50 for both Leicester and Racing. On the one hand, he can be an absolute world beater as he's shown so far this year but on the other, I just don't know if I could justify paying him the wage he'll demand for such an injury prone player.
— David Gavigan (@JanglesGavigan) February 15, 2019
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Regardless of the permutations of the potential move, many fans are also speculating how good Racing’s backline will be next season if the 27-year-old does move. With the likes of Finn Russell, Virimi Vakatawa, Simon Zebo, Juan Imhoff and Teddy Thomas already in Paris, Racing would surely have the most impressive backline in Europe next season with the added power of Tuilagi.
https://twitter.com/G_Douglas91/status/1096424053152403456
Racing signing Tuilagi would be huge. Fitness depending, he's up there with the best 13's in the world.
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) February 15, 2019
This potential move has also raised questions about the state of France’s entire system as well. In a week where the reputation of French rugby has been dragged through the mud after a huge loss to England at Twickenham, and Bernard Laporte saying the French system is at fault, this does not help the national team. Racing is one of their leading clubs and are counterproductively looking to bring players in from abroad rather than looking to the younger players coming through, which France certainly has.
https://twitter.com/iainathomas/status/1096400044226461696
https://twitter.com/jujusimba7777/status/1096419399999860739
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Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
5 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
5 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments