Tuilagi back on bench for Italy

The BBC has reported that Manu will take Alex Goode's bench spot for the Italy game on Saturday.

Not sorry to see Goode go, he did not cover anywhere not already covered but is it too early for Manu to come back into international rugby?

We have plenty of cover for 15 with May and Nowell, 36 can cover 10, Manu can cover wing, so it is a logical selection if he is up to the pace.

It is a chance to see what a Burrell / Tuilagi partnership can do for 20 minutes if injuries allow.

He's surely a better option off the bench than Goode? He's played more that JD2 since their respective returns from injury i believe and JD lasted even though he played pants (and I don't believe that was fitness but Englands defence).

Its a higher risk bench but one that makes sense for this game. England are going for bust by the looks of it.

Still be amazing if the win by more than 20 let alone 50 plus.

As for two early, well we will find out. It is only off the bench and Lancaster surely is only doing this based on how hes going in training and medical advice.

You can say its risking his long term health, but is 20 minutes test more of a risk than 60 with his club?


Ill trust the judgement for now.

Not the option i would have taken to be honest. No point in rushing the lad back in for one game against Italy.

Having said that they must have had the go-ahead off Cockerill or he wouldnt be there.

Also they couldnt just put him straight back in...as that would not be fair on Twelvetrees and Burrell who have been very good together and Twelvetrees was very good v Wales.

On his return to Leicester he was rusty initially but soon got into the game and was a real handful for the (Falcons) defence. He might not be international 80 minutesw fit, but he'd be a good impact sub for sure. I'd rather him than Goode anyway.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Having said that they must have had the go-ahead off Cockerill or he wouldnt be there.

 

Its not Cockerills choice and Tuillagi has been with the England training squad. Having said that Im sure Cocker sill be all over the press whinging if he has issue with it. I cant see how he can though, if he was fit enough to make a cameo in the Newcastle game hes fit enough now weeks later.

More interesting is the travelling reserves (ie 24th and 25th) when they fly out on Thursday. Matt Mullan goes again, but covering the backs we have Kyle Eastmond.

http://www.rfu.com/news/2014/march/news-articles/110314_squad_update_manu

Of course if Mike Brown pulls up injured on the Captain's run on Friday they can still fly Goode out, but if a problem hits on Sunday then May or Nowell would move to FB with I assume Manu on the Wing and Eastmond on bench. Or would Eastmond being more match fit leapfrog the Leicester man?

Yeah thats true...but i still think Cockerill would have had things to say.

Also, much as Italy arent the best side...Newcastle arent anywhere near that level.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Yeah thats true...but i still think Cockerill would have had things to say.

Also, much as Italy arent the best side...Newcastle arent anywhere near that level.

This is true, GF.
I'd say that Italy is about as good as the Tigers atm.

Reluctantly, if I were Cockers, I'd probably allow him 20-25 minutes to blow off a few flakes of rust and cobwebs to regain match fitness.

For Leicester it is better that he plays, so to be closer to match fitness for Exeter's visit the following week.

For England - well I hope he has looked good in training, because even 20 minutes off the bench is a risk.

Why is 20 mins off the bench such a risk? The coaches have seen him in training and he played almost an entire game a couple of weeks ago before joining up with England.

Jelly,
He is just returning from major injury. From all reports he is in great physical shape. But it is impossible to be in match shape. I know it is a cliche, but it is true the Internationals are a higher level of physicality than club matches. Why risk him at this higher level when he has a few months ahead of him to get back to full fighting trim at Leicester? I know it is a conservative approach, but for any lad - and he is still fairly young - there does not seem much to gain and more to lose here.

Correct, Doc. I think that Manu should be preserved in aspic until next season.
I certainly wouldn't risk him in NZ. He's too valuable an asset.

LondonTiger wrote:For Leicester it is better that he plays, so to be closer to match fitness for Exeter's visit the following week.

For England - well I hope he has looked good in training, because even 20 minutes off the bench is a risk.

Given Italy don't play an expansive game I don't think him coming onto the wing would be that much of a risk.

Its not a key position like Hooker, Stand off etc.

I imagine Lancaster will want to bring him after they have softened up the Italian defensive line for 60 mins or so. Score or create a couple of tries to further their 6N aspirations.

I agree with the decision to pick a more attacking replacement than Goode for this game given the desire to rack up a cricket score if possible. I'd probably have gone for Yarde though, as he was out for less time and is a little more match fit / sharp.