Welcome Back Manu, It's Going To Be Interesting!
The Rugby Paper|September 03, 2017

MANU Tuilagi will want to hit the ground running when Leicester open their campaign against Bath today at Welford Road. However, after virtually three years out of the game with injury it will not as easy as it sounds.

Welcome Back Manu, It's Going To Be Interesting!

How successful he is will all depend on his mental state. It’s about how well-prepared he is in mind as well as body. The groin injury that kept him out for the longest period of time will have been mentally and physically a very debilitating period. It wears you down psychologically mainly because you do not have a return date.

If, for instance, you break a bone you know that it’s about three months before you will be back training. A groin injury is much more tricky, because you never quite know where you are with it.

Having had the same injury twice during my career I know that it’s hard not having a return date to work towards. I was out for eight or nine months the first time, and the problem is you will test the injury – and sometimes over-test it. And then you are back to the drawing board.

With Tuilagi’s most recent knee problem he seems to have adjusted to it, and has managed to get back into training much more quickly. Even so, it is inevitable that there will be doubt in his mind that his body will hold up, and he will probably feel the odd niggle – but the more you play the more the doubts recede as your confidence grows.

However, his nerves will be all about the injury rather than any jitters over his ability to play top-level rugby again.

As I’ve said before, I’m not interested in a discussion over whether he deserves another chance for England, because his first priority is to get back and start playing well for Leicester. Without that, talk of playing for England is premature.

This story is from the September 03, 2017 edition of The Rugby Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 03, 2017 edition of The Rugby Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE RUGBY PAPERView All
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
The Rugby Paper

Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash

LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
The Rugby Paper

Dramatic late win boosts leaders

A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
England need to be more consistent
The Rugby Paper

England need to be more consistent

I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
The Rugby Paper

Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver

ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
The Rugby Paper

Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions

TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
The Rugby Paper

Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot

LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
The Rugby Paper

Four-try David calls the shots for Bears

MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
The Rugby Paper

Scott-Young keen to follow his father

TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 10, 2024
When value for money is not part of the deal
The Rugby Paper

When value for money is not part of the deal

ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
The Rugby Paper

'I want to prove my worth to Bath'

OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 10, 2024