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{{short description|England international rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
|           name = Manu Tuilagi
|          image = Manu Tuilagi cropped.jpg
|     image_size =
|        caption = Tuilagi representing [[England national rugby union team|England]] during the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]]
|       fullname = Etuale Manusamoa Tuilagi
|     birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|05|18|df=y}}
|    birth_place = [[Fogapoa]], Samoa
|         height = {{convert|1.85|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=MTuilagi>{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/teams/england/player/44193|title=Manu Tuilagi player profile|publisher=rugbyworldcup.com|accessdate=21 October 2023}}</ref>
|         weight = {{convert|112|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}<ref name=MTuilagi/>
|         school = [[The Hinckley School|John Cleveland College]]
|     university =
|      relatives = [[Anitelea Tuilagi]] (brother)<br />[[Alesana Tuilagi]] (brother)<br />[[Henry Tuilagi]] (brother)<br />[[Sanele Vavae Tuilagi]] (brother)<br />[[Freddie Tuilagi]] (brother)<br />[[Posolo Tuilagi]] (nephew)
|       position = [[Rugby union positions#Centre|Centre]], [[Rugby union positions#Wing|Wing]]
|    currentclub = [[Aviron Bayonnais|Bayonne]]
|         years1 = 2009–2020
|         clubs1 = [[Leicester Tigers]]
|          apps1 = 128
|        points1 = 205
|         years2 = 2020–2024
|         clubs2 = [[Sale Sharks]]
|          apps2 = 41
|        points2 = 20
|         years3 = 2024–
|         clubs3 = [[Aviron Bayonnais|Bayonne]]
|          apps3 = 10
|        points3 = 0
|      repyears1 = 2009
|       repteam1 = [[England national under-18 rugby union team|England U18]]
|       repcaps1 = 3
|     reppoints1 = 0
|      repyears2 = 2011
|       repteam2 = [[England A national rugby union team|England A]]
|       repcaps2 = 3
|     reppoints2 = 5
|      repyears3 = 2011–2024
|       repteam3 = [[England national rugby union team|England]]
|       repcaps3 = 60
|     reppoints3 = 100
|      repyears4 = 2013
|       repteam4 = [[British & Irish Lions]]
|       repcaps4 = 1
|     reppoints4 = 0
|     clubupdate = 28 August 2023
|      repupdate = 16 March 2024
| ru_sevensnationalyears1 =
|  ru_sevensnationalteam1 =
|  ru_sevensnationalcomp1 =
|         ru_sevensupdate =
}}

'''Etuale Manusamoa Tuilagi''' (born 18 May 1991) is a professional [[rugby union]] player who plays as a [[Rugby union positions#Centre|centre]] for [[Top 14]] club [[Aviron Bayonnais|Bayonne]]. Born in Samoa, he represented [[England national rugby union team|England]] at international level after qualifying on [[International rugby union eligibility rules|residency grounds]].<ref name="ESPN"/><ref name="rfu.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.rfu.com/squadsandplayers/englandelite/manusamoatuilagi |title=RFU |access-date=10 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509201222/http://www.rfu.com/squadsandplayers/englandelite/manusamoatuilagi |archive-date=9 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.leicestertigers.com/player/manu-tuilagi|title=Manu Tuilagi (Centre) – Leicester Tigers|access-date=15 October 2017|publisher=Leicester Tigers}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/apr/02/manu-tuilagi-leicester-clermont-auvergne-heineken-cup |work=[[The Guardian]]|title=Manu Tuilagi: as long as I'm in the England team I don't mind where I play|first=Donald|last=McRae|date=2 April 2014|access-date=2 September 2019}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Tuilagi was born on 18 May 1991 in [[Fogapoa]], [[Samoa]]. He is the younger brother of [[Freddie Tuilagi|Freddie]], [[Henry Tuilagi|Henry]], [[Alesana Tuilagi|Alesana]], [[Anitelea Tuilagi|Anitelea]] and [[Sanele Vavae Tuilagi]], all of whom are Samoan internationals and also played for Leicester. He has another sibling, Julie, who is [[fa'afafine]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=McRae |first1=Donald |title=Manu Tuilagi at home in England after finally brushing off the mishaps |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/dec/18/manu-tuilagi-england-leicester-samoa |website=The Guardian |date=18 December 2012 |access-date=20 April 2021}}</ref> He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team, Manu Samoa, because his brother Freddie was selected for Samoa at the World Cup in 1991, the year Manu was born.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/9824086/Manu-Tuilagi-England-rugbys-wrecking-ball.html|url-access=subscription|title=Manu Tuilagi, England rugby's wrecking ball|first=Mark|last=Bailey|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=25 January 2013|accessdate=23 December 2018}}</ref>

Tuilagi moved to the UK to join his brothers, and began playing youth rugby in 2004 with [[Rumney RFC]] while living in Cardiff, when his brother Freddie was playing for [[Cardiff Rugby|Cardiff Blues]]. Aged 15, he moved back to Leicester, joining the Leicester Tigers academy.

In June 2010, Tuilagi faced possible deportation from the UK after it became known that he had entered the country on a [[Travel visa|holiday visa]] six years earlier and had stayed on illegally.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leicester Tigers player is refused leave to stay in the UK|url=http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Tigers-player-refused-leave-stay-UK/article-2300425-detail/article.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914035120/http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/Tigers-player-refused-leave-stay-UK/article-2300425-detail/article.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 September 2012|access-date=7 July 2010|newspaper=Leicester Mercury |date=15 June 2010}}</ref> After an appeal, he was later granted indefinite leave to remain.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rising star at Leicester Tigers wins fight against deportation|url=http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/TIGERS-MANU-WINS-FIGHT-STAY-UK/article-2387635-detail/article.html|access-date=7 July 2010|newspaper=Leicester Mercury|date=7 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713101521/http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/news/TIGERS-MANU-WINS-FIGHT-STAY-UK/article-2387635-detail/article.html|archive-date=13 July 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> He and his brother Alesana are both [[Catholic]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/8438444/Leicester-powerhouse-Manu-Tuilagi-beat-deportation-threat-so-Leinsters-Brian-ODriscoll-holds-no-fear.html|url-access=subscription|title=Leicester powerhouse Manu Tuilagi beat deportation threat so Leinster's Brian O'Driscoll holds no fear|first=Mick|last=Cleary|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=8 April 2011|accessdate=29 April 2018}}</ref>

== Club career ==
=== Leicester Tigers ===
Tuilagi represented Leicester in the [[Middlesex Sevens]] at [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]] in 2009.<ref name="ESPN">{{cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/104991.html|title=Manu Tuilagi|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=29 April 2018|archive-date=2 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002062210/http://en.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/player/104991.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 6 November 2009, he played for Leicester Tigers against {{nrut|South Africa}} at [[Welford Road Stadium|Welford Road]]. Leicester won 22–17.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article6907322.ece |title=South Africans forced to bow to Leicester's youth rally |last=Hands |first=David |date=7 November 2009 |publisher=[[The Times]] |access-date=9 November 2009 |location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Tuilagi began his first season, 2010–11, with the senior Tigers side. Tigers Director of Rugby [[Richard Cockerill]] said that he expected Tuilagi to be a first-team regular and to play for {{nrut|England}} before long.<ref>{{cite news |title=Manu Tuilagi backed to play for England at next World Cup|url=http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/leicestertigers/Leicester-Tigers-youngster-Manu-Tuilagi-backed-play-England-World-Cup/article-2527626-detail/article.html|access-date=16 August 2010|newspaper=Leicester Mercury|date=14 August 2010}}</ref> During this season he started the majority of games for Tigers and was called up for England Saxons duty.<ref name="ESPN"/> In Leicester's Premiership semi-final against [[Northampton Saints]] on 14 May 2011, Tuilagi received a yellow card for punching [[Chris Ashton]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/9481573.stm|title=Leicester Tigers 11-3 Northampton Saints|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 May 2011|accessdate=9 August 2024}}</ref> Tuilagi was later cited for this offence and given a 10-week ban, later reduced to five weeks.<ref name="Ashton">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/13404917|title=Leicester's Manu Tuilagi banned for punching Ashton|website=BBC Sport|date=18 May 2011|access-date=18 May 2011}}</ref>

In May 2012 Tuilagi started in the Premiership final which they lost against [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]] to finish runners up.<ref name="Prem12">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/18154802|title=Harlequins 30-23 Leicester|first=Adam|last=Jones|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 May 2012|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> The following season he scored a try in the 2013 Premiership final as Leicester defeated Northampton to become league champions.<ref name="Prem13">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/22656677|title=Aviva Premiership final: Leicester 37-17 Northampton|first=Chris|last=Osborne|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 May 2013|access-date=10 February 2020}}</ref>

After injuring his hamstring in late 2014, Tuilagi did not play for the Tigers again until January 2016,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jan/10/manu-tuilagi-england-leicester-eddie-jones|title=Manu Tuilagi poised for England return after making Leicester comeback|first=Paul|last=Rees|website=The Guardian|date=10 January 2016|access-date=4 September 2021}}</ref> making his comeback off the bench in the 30–27 East Midlands derby win over Northampton Saints. He played for the rest of the 2015–16 season including their [[European Rugby Champions Cup]] semi-final elimination against [[Racing 92]] at the [[City Ground]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36083635|title=Champions Cup: Leicester Tigers 16-19 Racing 92|first=James|last=Standley|website=BBC Sport|date=24 April 2016|accessdate=9 August 2024}}</ref>

However, injury problems continued and Tuilagi was sidelined for most of the 2016–17 season with knee problems, making his comeback in the first game of the 2017–18 campaign, only to suffer a new injury to his other knee. In a bid to cure his injury problems Tuilagi visited a Samoan [[witch doctor]] in November 2017, the witch doctor claimed to have found three spirits had married Tuilagi and were causing the injuries, and massaged Tuilagi for two hours a day for four days to block the spirits.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/article/manu-tuilagi-a-witchdoctor-found-three-lady-spirits-who-had-married-onto-me-9j8ncllz3|url-access=subscription|title=Manu Tuilagi: A witchdoctor found three lady spirits who had married onto me|first=Alex|last=Lowe|website=[[The Times]]|date=9 November 2017|accessdate=9 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/nov/09/witch-doctor-banished-injury-curse-manu-tuilagi|title=Witch-doctor has banished my injury curse, says Manu Tuilagi|first=Sachin|last=Nakrani|website=The Guardian|date=9 November 2017|access-date=9 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/11/08/manu-tuilagi-saw-witchdoctor-fix-injuries-hospitals-cannot-cure/|url-access=subscription|title=Manu Tuilagi: 'I saw a witchdoctor to fix the injuries hospitals cannot cure'|first=Ben|last=Coles|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=9 November 2017|accessdate=9 November 2017}}</ref>

On 10 July 2020, Tuilagi left Leicester Tigers after failing to agree a reduced wage package, amid the financial challenges caused to the club by the coronavirus pandemic.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12552/12019002/manu-tuilagi-leaves-leicester-tigers-amid-wage-cuts|publisher=Sky Sports|title=Manu Tuilagi leaves Leicester Tigers amid wage cuts|date=10 July 2020|access-date=3 August 2020}}</ref>

=== Sale Sharks ===
On 13 July 2020, Tuilagi agreed to join [[Sale Sharks]] on a one-year deal until the end of the 2020–21 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53388978|title=Manu Tuilagi: Sale Sharks sign England centre after Leicester Tigers departure|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 July 2020|accessdate=9 August 2024}}</ref> In his first season at the club he played in the [[2019–20 Premiership Rugby Cup]] final as Sale beat [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]] to lift the trophy.<ref name="prc">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54208625|title=Premiership Rugby Cup final: Sale Sharks edge out Harlequins thanks to late comeback|website=BBC Sport|date=21 September 2020|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> The following year saw Tuilagi sign a contract extension.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-19|title=Manu Tuilagi signs contract extension with Sale Sharks|url=https://www.salesharks.com/2021/04/19/manu-tuilagi-signs-contract-extension-with-sale-sharks/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Sale Sharks|language=en}}</ref>

In May 2022 Tuilagi scored a try in their European quarter-final elimination against [[Racing 92]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61371944|title=Heineken Champions Cup: Thomas and Russell dazzle as Racing 92 beat Sale to reach semis|first=Mantej|last=Mann|website=BBC Sport|date=8 May 2022|accessdate=9 August 2024}}</ref> He started the 2023 Premiership final which Sale lost against [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]] to finish league runners up.<ref name="Prem23">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65727086|title=Premiership final: Saracens 35-25 Sale - Sarries win sixth title in Twickenham thriller|first=Sophie|last=Hurcom|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 May 2023|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref>

=== Bayonne ===
On 19 March 2024, Tuilagi agreed to join [[Top 14]] club [[Aviron Bayonnais|Bayonne]] on a two-year deal until the end of the 2025–26 season.<ref name="Bayonne">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68605277|title=Manu Tuilagi: England centre leaving Sale Sharks to join Bayonne at end of season|website=BBC Sport|date=19 March 2024|access-date=20 March 2024}}</ref>

== International career ==
Tuilagi said he would prefer to play internationally for {{nrut|England}}, where he had grown up and played all of his rugby.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/nov/09/manu-tuilagi-england-interview|title=Manu Tuilagi's road leads from Samoa to stardom with England|first=Robert|last=Kitson|website=The Guardian|date=9 November 2012|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> He represented [[England national under-18 rugby union team|England under-18]].<ref name="ESPN"/> Tuilagi had been involved with the [[England national rugby sevens team|England Sevens]] squad and in May 2010 played for the team which won the London Floodlit Sevens, playing under the name 'Dig Deep England'.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/sep/25/rugby-world-cup-bereft-talented-teenagers-japan-2019|title=Why this World Cup is bereft of talented teenagers when once they were legion|first=Ben|last=Ryan|website=The Guardian|date=25 September 2019|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> In January 2011 he was selected to start for [[England A national rugby union team|England 'A']] against [[Italy A national rugby union team|Italy]] and scored a second-half try in a match which England won 45–17.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/8285751/Samoan-born-Leicester-Tigers-centre-Manu-Tuilagi-to-make-England-Saxons-debut-against-Italy-A.html|url-access=subscription|title=Samoan-born Leicester Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi to make England Saxons debut against Italy A|first=Brendan|last=Gallagher|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=27 January 2011|accessdate=27 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/9378287.stm|title=England Saxons 45-17 Italy A|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 January 2011|accessdate=9 August 2024}}</ref>

In June 2011 Tuilagi was named in England's training squad for the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/13830977|title=Matt Stevens named in England training squad|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 June 2011|accessdate=9 August 2024}}</ref> On 6 August 2011, he made his England [[Test match (rugby union)|Test]] début in the World Cup warm-up match against [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]] at Twickenham.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi to make England debut|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/14402361.stm|access-date=4 August 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 August 2011}}</ref> As one of the starting XV, he scored a try in the 44th minute underneath the posts after an inside pass from [[Jonny Wilkinson]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/14406961|title=England 23-19 Wales|first=Bryn|last=Palmer|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 August 2011|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> He then played in the third warm-up game, a victory over [[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]], and scored again.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/14682807|title=Ireland 9-20 England|first=Bryn|last=Palmer|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 August 2011|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> Tuilagi was included in the squad for the tournament and scored tries in pool stage victories over [[Georgia national rugby union team|Georgia]] and [[Romania national rugby union team|Romania]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/14959055|title=Rugby World Cup 2011: England 41-10 Georgia|first=Ben|last=Dirs|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 September 2011|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/14812577|title=Rugby World Cup 2011: England 67-3 Romania|first=Ben|last=Dirs|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 September 2011|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> He also started in their quarter-final elimination against [[France national rugby union team|France]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/15210221|title=Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France|first=Tom|last=Fordyce|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 October 2011|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref>

Tuilagi scored tries against [[Fiji national rugby union team|Fiji]] and [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] during the [[2012 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2012 autumn internationals]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/20259593|title=England 54-12 Fiji|first=Tom|last=Fordyce|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 November 2012|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/20347064|title=England 14-20 Australia|first=Tom|last=Fordyce|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 November 2012|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> In their last fixture of that calendar year he produced one of his strongest international performances, against World champions [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]]. England won 38–21 in what is their largest ever winning margin over the All Blacks. Tuilagi featured in all three of England's tries.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63680265|title=England v New Zealand: 'Manu tore us to shreds' - inside England's sensational 2012 win|first=Mike|last=Henson|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 November 2022|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref>

Tuilagi was named in the [[British & Irish Lions]] squad by coach [[Warren Gatland]] for their [[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2013 tour to Australia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/apr/30/jonny-wilkinson-turns-down-lions|title=Jonny Wilkinson turned down Lions chance, says Warren Gatland|first=Paul|last=Rees|website=The Guardian|date=30 April 2013|access-date=2 May 2013}}</ref> He started tour fixtures against [[Western Force]], [[Queensland Reds]] and [[Melbourne Rebels]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/22817606|title=Lions 2013: Queensland Reds 12-22 British and Irish Lions|first=Bryn|last=Palmer|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 June 2013|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> He played in the third and last test against the [[Australia men's national rugby union team|Wallabies]], coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute as the Lions won to complete a series win.<ref name="Lions">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/23210389|title=British and Irish Lions thrash Australia to seal series win|first=Bryn|last=Palmer|publisher=BBC Sport|date=6 July 2013|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref>

Tuilagi returned to the England squad for the [[2016 Six Nations Championship]] having not played for the national side due to injury and disciplinary reasons since June 2014 including missing the [[2015 Rugby World Cup]].<ref name="absence">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/may/15/manu-tuilagi-rugby-world-cup-assautling-police-officer-england|title=England’s Manu Tuilagi to miss Rugby World Cup after assaulting police officer|first=Robert|last=Kitson|publisher=The Guardian|date=15 May 2015|access-date=12 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35692617|title=Six Nations 2016: Manu Tuilagi in England squad for Wales game|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 February 2016|accessdate=22 October 2017}}</ref> During the 2016 Six Nations tournament he appeared as a substitute in the penultimate round against Wales as England went on to complete their first [[Grand Slam (rugby union)|Grand Slam]] for over a decade.<ref name="triple">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35771472|title=Six Nations 2016: England 25-21 Wales|first=Tom|last=Fordyce|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 March 2016|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref><ref name="20166N">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35821697|title=Six Nations 2016: England win Grand Slam with France victory|first=Tom|last=Fordyce|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 March 2016|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> Later that year Tuilagi was ruled out of their [[2016 England rugby union tour of Australia|tour of Australia]] due to an injury suffered in a Premiership semi-final loss against Saracens.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/10292976/manu-tuilagi-out-of-englands-tour-to-australia|title=Manu Tuilagi out of England's tour to Australia|publisher=Sky Sports|date=24 May 2016|accessdate=20 August 2016}}</ref> After not playing for England since the 2016 Six Nations he returned in November 2018 coming off the bench against Australia to win his twenty-seventh cap.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/46334667|title=England v Australia: Manu Tuilagi says long-awaited return was 'special'|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 November 2018|accessdate=9 August 2024}}</ref>

After a string of strong performances for club team Leicester Tigers, Tuilagi was selected for the [[2019 Six Nations Championship]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47071798|title=Ireland v England: Manu Tuilagi starts in Six Nations opener|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2019|accessdate=9 August 2024}}</ref> He scored two tries in the penultimate round against [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]] as England ultimately finished runners up to Grand Slam winners Wales.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47510776|title=England 57-14 Italy: Eight-try England keep Six Nation title hopes alive|first=Tom|last=Fordyce|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 March 2019|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> Later that year he was included in their squad for the [[2019 Rugby World Cup]] and scored a try in a warm-up fixture against Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49460343|title=England 57-15 Ireland: Eddie Jones' side dominate visitors in World Cup warm-up|first=Alex|last=Bysouth|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 August 2019|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49318410|title=Rugby World Cup: England leave out Te'o, name Ludlam & McConnochie in squad|first=Chris|last=Jones|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 August 2019|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> He produced their opening try of the tournament against [[Tonga national rugby union team|Tonga]] and also scored their only try in the semi-final victory over New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49786758|title=England 35-3 Tonga: Eddie Jones' side battle to opening World Cup win|first=Tom|last=Fordyce|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 September 2019|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50192618|title=England 19-7 New Zealand: Eddie Jones' side beat All Blacks to reach World Cup final|first=Tom|last=Fordyce|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 October 2019|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> He started in the [[2019 Rugby World Cup final|final]] as England were defeated by [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]] to finish runners up.<ref name="2019rwc">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50273291|title=England 12-32 South Africa: Springboks win World Cup for record-equalling third time|first=Tom|last=Fordyce|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 November 2019|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref>

Tuilagi scored a try and received a red card against Wales during the penultimate round of the [[2020 Six Nations Championship]].<ref name="Red">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51784446|title=Six Nations: England beat Wales 33-30 despite Manu Tuilagi red card|first=Tom|last=Fordyce|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 March 2020|access-date=11 March 2020}}</ref> England ultimately won the tournament.<ref name="20206N">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54763235|title=Italy 5-34 England: Visitors' victory proves enough to win Six Nations title|first=Becky|last=Grey|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 October 2020|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> Tuilagi was named in the squad for the 2022 autumn internationals, and played in all four games earning his fiftieth cap in a 27–13 loss to South Africa.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63770560|title=England 13-27 South Africa: Eddie Jones says defeat was 'entirely my fault'|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 November 2022|accessdate=9 August 2024}}</ref>

Tuilagi was selected for the [[2023 Rugby World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66427035|title=England World Cup squad: Henry Slade & Alex Dombrandt miss out, Joe Marchant & Theo Dan in|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 August 2023|accessdate=9 August 2024}}</ref> He started three of their four pool fixtures and broke his hand in the last pool match against [[Samoa national rugby union team|Samoa]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2023/11/07/manu-tuilagi-broke-hand-england-rugby-international-career/|url-access=subscription|title=Manu Tuilagi broke hand twice in World Cup but insists ‘only a lethal injection will stop me’|first=Daniel|last=Schofield|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=7 November 2023|accessdate=9 August 2024}}</ref> In the knockout phase he scored his twentieth and last international try in the quarter-final victory over Fiji and started the semi-final elimination against champions South Africa.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67115985|title=England 30-24 Fiji: Owen Farrell's boot seals Rugby World Cup semi-final spot|first=Becky|last=Grey|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 October 2023|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67182592|title=England 15-16 South Africa: Springboks fightback settles World Cup semi-final|first=Mike|last=Henson|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 October 2023|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> He also started in their last fixture of the tournament as England defeated [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]] to finish third and claim a bronze medal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67242541|title=Argentina 23-26 England: England overcome Pumas to win Rugby World Cup bronze-medal match|first=Mike|last=Henson|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 October 2023|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref>

Tuilagi made his last appearance for England in the final game of the [[2024 Six Nations Championship]].<ref name="RFU">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cp3glkexdv6o|title=I will miss playing for England - Tuilagi|website=BBC Sport|date=8 May 2024|access-date=9 August 2024}}</ref> After the tournament he signed for Bayonne and under the RFU's current international selection policy, this would make him ineligible to represent England again and likely brings his international career to an end.<ref name="Bayonne"/> He finished with twenty tries in sixty appearances for England.<ref name="RFU"/>

== Disciplinary issues ==
Tuilagi has been involved in a number of incidents that have affected his playing career.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/20273875/manu-tuilagi-adds-lengthy-rap-sheet|title=Crime & punishment: Manu Tuilagi adds to lengthy rap sheet|publisher=ESPN|date=7 August 2017|accessdate=11 March 2018}}</ref> In 2011, he was banned for five weeks for repeatedly punching [[Chris Ashton]] in the Premiership semi-final between Leicester and Northampton.<ref name="Ashton"/>

During the 2011 World Cup, Tuilagi was fined £4,800 after wearing a sponsored mouthguard, breaking the tournament's rules. In the aftermath of England's exit from the World Cup after losing to France, he was arrested by [[New Zealand Police]] for jumping into Auckland harbour from a ferry, and was subsequently fined £3,000 by the [[Rugby Football Union]].<ref>{{cite news |title=England fine Manu Tuilagi for ferry jump|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15234032.stm|access-date=11 October 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|date=9 October 2011}}</ref>

In September 2013, Tuilagi issued an apology to Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] after making a "bunny ears" sign behind his back during a visit by the British and Irish Lions squad to [[Downing Street]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/britishandirishlionsrugby/10313911/Manu-Tuilagi-forced-to-apologise-for-playing-prank-on-Prime-Minister-David-Cameron-in-No-10-visit.html|url-access=subscription|title=Manu Tuilagi forced to apologise for playing prank on Prime Minister David Cameron in No 10 visit|first=Gavin|last=Mairs|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=16 September 2013|accessdate=17 September 2013}}</ref>

In May 2015, Tuilagi was convicted of assaulting two female police officers and a taxi driver, and fined £6,205. England coach [[Stuart Lancaster (rugby union)|Stuart Lancaster]] subsequently announced that Tuilagi would not be considered for selection until January 2016, thus missing the [[2015 Rugby World Cup]].<ref name="absence"/>

In August 2017, after rejoining the England squad after a series of injuries, he returned to the team hotel drunk with teammate [[Denny Solomona]], and they were sent home by coach [[Eddie Jones (rugby union)|Eddie Jones]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/aug/07/manu-tuilagi-denny-solomona-sent-home-england-rugby-union-disciplinary-issues|title=Manu Tuilagi’s England return in doubt after drunken night out at camp|first=Gerard|last=Meagher|website=The Guardian|date=7 August 2017|access-date=5 February 2018}}</ref> Tuilagi was not selected in England's initial squad for the 2018 Six Nations.

In March 2020, Tuilagi was sent off in a Six Nations Championship match against Wales at Twickenham, which England won 33–30, after it was deemed by the Referee, [[Ben O'Keeffe]] of New Zealand, that he had committed a no-arms tackle on the Welsh winger, [[George North]].<ref name="Red"/> A disciplinary panel subsequently banned Tuilagi from playing for four weeks, but he did not subsequently miss any games, owing to the coronavirus lockdown.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/51863544 |title=Joe Marler: England prop banned for 10 weeks for genital grab |date=2020-03-12 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=2020-03-13}}</ref>

On 18 February 2023, Tuilagi was red carded while playing for [[Sale Sharks]] against [[Northampton Saints]] in a [[Premiership Rugby]] match. In the 13th minute he was judged to have used his non-ball carrying elbow to target the throat of opposition player [[Tommy Freeman (rugby union)|Tommy Freeman]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbyworld.com/news/manu-tuilagi-red-card-after-13-minutes-151053|work=Rugby World|date=18 February 2023|access-date=22 February 2023|title=Manu Tuilagi red card after 13 minutes|first1=Alan|last1=Dymock}}</ref> He subsequently received a four week ban.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/out-of-favour-england-midfielder-manu-tuilagi-banned-for-red-card/|work=Rugby Pass|date=21 February 2023|access-date=22 February 2023|title=Out-of-favour England midfielder Manu Tuilagi banned for red card|first1=Liam|last1=Heagney}}</ref>

== Career statistics ==
=== List of international tries ===
{{updated|15 October 2023}}<ref name="ESPN"/>
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%"
|-
! Try !! Opposing team !! Location !! Venue !! Competition !! Date !! Result !! Score
|-
| 1 || {{ru|WAL}} || [[London]], [[England]] || [[Twickenham Stadium]] || [[2011 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches|2011 Rugby World Cup Warm-Up]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2011|08|6}} || Win || '''23''' – 19
|-
| 2 || {{ru|IRE}} || [[Dublin]], [[Ireland]] || [[Aviva Stadium]] || [[2011 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches|2011 Rugby World Cup Warm-Up]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2011|8|27}} || Win || '''20''' – 9
|-
| 3 || {{ru|GEO}} || [[Dunedin]], [[New Zealand]] || [[Forsyth Barr Stadium]] || [[2011 Rugby World Cup]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2011|9|18}} || Win || '''41''' – 10
|-
| 4 || {{ru|ROM}} || [[Dunedin]], [[New Zealand]] || [[Forsyth Barr Stadium]] || [[2011 Rugby World Cup]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2011|9|24}} || Win || '''67''' – 3
|-
| 5 || {{ru|FRA}} || [[Paris]], [[France]] || [[Stade de France]] || [[2012 Six Nations Championship|2012 Six Nations]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2012|3|11}} || Win || '''24''' – 22
|-
| 6
|rowspan="2"| {{ru|FIJ}}
|rowspan="2"| [[London]], [[England]]
|rowspan="2"| [[Twickenham Stadium]]
|rowspan="2"| [[2012 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2012 Autumn Internationals]]
|rowspan="2"| {{dts|format=dmy|2012|11|10}}
|rowspan="2"| Win
|rowspan="2"| '''54''' – 12
|-
| 7
|-
| 8 || {{ru|AUS}} || [[London]], [[England]] || [[Twickenham Stadium]] || [[2012 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2012 Autumn Internationals]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2012|11|17}} || Loss || '''14''' – 20
|-
| 9 || {{ru|NZ}} || [[London]], [[England]] || [[Twickenham Stadium]] || [[2012 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2012 Autumn Internationals]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2012|12|1}} || Win || '''38''' – 21
|-
| 10 || {{ru|FRA}} || [[London]], [[England]] || [[Twickenham Stadium]] || [[2013 Six Nations Championship|2013 Six Nations]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2013|2|23}} || Win || '''23''' – 13
|-
| 11 || {{ru|ITA}} || [[Rome]], [[Italy]] || [[Stadio Olimpico]] || [[2014 Six Nations Championship|2014 Six Nations]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2014|3|15}} || Win || '''52''' – 11
|-
| 12
|rowspan="2"| {{ru|ITA}}
|rowspan="2"| [[London, England]]
|rowspan="2"| [[Twickenham Stadium]]
|rowspan="2"| [[2019 Six Nations Championship|2019 Six Nations]]
|rowspan="2"| {{dts|format=dmy|2019|03|9}}
|rowspan="2"| Win
|rowspan="2"| '''57''' – 14
|-
| 13
|-
| 14
| {{ru|IRE}} || [[London]], [[England]] || [[Twickenham Stadium]] || [[2019 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches|2019 Rugby World Cup Warm-Up]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2019|8|24}} || Win || '''57''' – 15
|-
| 15
| rowspan="2" | {{ru|TGA}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Sapporo]], [[Japan]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Sapporo Dome]]
| rowspan="2" | [[2019 Rugby World Cup]]
| rowspan="2" | {{dts|format=dmy|2019|9|22}}
| rowspan="2" | Win
| rowspan="2" | '''35''' – 3
|-
| 16
|-
| 17
| {{ru|NZL}} || [[Yokohama]], [[Japan]] || [[Nissan Stadium (Yokohama)|International stadium]] || [[2019 Rugby World Cup]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2019|10|26}} || Win || '''19''' – 7
|-
| 18 || {{ru|WAL}}|| [[London]], [[England]] || [[Twickenham Stadium]] || [[2020 Six Nations Championship|2020 Six Nations]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2020|3|07}} || Win || '''33''' – 30
|-
|19
|{{ru|RSA}}
|[[London]], [[England]]
|[[Twickenham Stadium]]
|[[2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals|2021 Autumn Internationals]]
|20 November 2021
|Win
|'''27''' – 26
|-
| 20
| {{ru|FIJ}} || [[Marseille]], [[France]] || [[Stade Vélodrome|Stade de Marseille]]|| [[2023 Rugby World Cup]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2023|10|15}} || Win || '''30''' – 24
|-
|}

== Honours ==
; Leicester Tigers
* 2× [[Premiership Rugby]]: [[2009–10 Premiership Rugby|2009–10]], [[2012–13 Premiership Rugby|2012–2013]]<ref name="Prem13"/>
* 2× [[Anglo-Welsh Cup]]: 2012, 2017

; Sale Sharks
* 1× [[Premiership Rugby Cup]]: [[2019–20 Premiership Rugby Cup|2019–20]]<ref name="prc"/>
* 1× Premiership Rugby runner-up: [[2022–23 Premiership Rugby|2022–2023]]<ref name="Prem23"/>

; England
* 2× [[Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]]: [[2016 Six Nations Championship|2016]],<ref name="20166N"/> [[2020 Six Nations Championship|2020]]<ref name="20206N"/>
* 2× [[Triple Crown (rugby union)|Triple Crown]]: [[2016 Six Nations Championship|2016]],<ref name="triple"/> [[2020 Six Nations Championship|2020]]<ref name="20206N"/>
* 1× [[Rugby World Cup]] runner-up: [[2019 Rugby World Cup|2019]]<ref name="2019rwc"/>

; British & Irish Lions
* 1× [[British & Irish Lions]] series: [[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2013]]<ref name="Lions"/>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Manu Tuilagi}}
* {{sports links}}

{{Aviron Bayonnais squad}}
{{England 2011 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{England 2019 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{England 2023 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{British and Irish Lions 2013}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tuilagi, Manu}}
[[Category:1991 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2011 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2019 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2023 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:21st-century Samoan sportsmen]]
[[Category:Aviron Bayonnais players]]
[[Category:British & Irish Lions rugby union players from England]]
[[Category:British & Irish Lions rugby union players from Samoa]]
[[Category:England international rugby union players]]
[[Category:English Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:English rugby union players]]
[[Category:Leicester Tigers players]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Rugby union centres]]
[[Category:Sale Sharks players]]
[[Category:Samoan emigrants to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Samoan expatriates in England]]
[[Category:Samoan expatriates in Wales]]
[[Category:Samoan Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Tuilagi family|Manu]]