World Rugby’s recent eligibility shake-up has opened the door for a host of England internationals to represent another nation — and Manu Tuilagi could be one of the biggest names to make the switch.
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The updated laws allow players to change allegiance if they haven’t played Test rugby for three years and have a birth, parent, or grandparent link to their new nation.
Tuilagi, recently named in the Top 14 Team of the Season, has admitted he could realistically make the move.
In an extensive interview with The Daily Telegraph, the youngest Tuilagi revealed that while “England is very special to me, of course, but my heart and home is still Samoa.”
“I’d love to pull on the blue jersey one day,” he added.
Manu is the odd one out in his rugby-playing family, with brothers Anitelea, Alesana, Henry and Freddie all opting to play for Manu Samoa rather than the European nations they lived in during their careers.
If he sticks to his plan, Tuilagi could be available for Samoa at the 2027 Rugby World Cup — although time isn’t on his side, as he would be 35 by then.
“Justified” – 2025 Lions star included on list of SIX worst ever Lions
The 2022 list, compiled by Pundit Arena, examines players who may have been more unlucky than lacking ability, while others arguably had no place in a British & Irish Lions jersey.
Read on to find out which names feature among the Lions’ most forgettable selections.
Pundit Arena’s WORST LIONS PLAYERS:
6 – Stuart Hogg
PA: “ 2013 and 2017 went badly for the Scot. The Lions stuck by Hogg for the second Test in 2021 but was shaky under the high-ball and had no chance to shine in attack .”
RUCK: Just doesn’t seem to work out for Hoggy in the Lions with the harder he tries the tougher it gets
VERDICT: Justified
5- Andy Titterrell
PA: “Choosing to select an enormous 44-man squad, Clive Woodward made several left field selections. None more so than a Sale Sharks hooker with only two caps for England. His technical and physical skills were not good enough for the Lions.”
RUCK: He shouldn’t have been near that squad
VERDICT: Justified
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