Manu Tuilagi Should Be Playing in the Centre for England Against New Zealand

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: June 12, 2014

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Manu Tuilagi has consistently been England’s best player since he burst on the international scene just prior to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. He is England’s most powerful runner, and the one opposition defences worry about most.

However, where he should play in the England team has been brought into question over the past year. Moreover, the decision to move Tuilagi away from the centre and onto the wing risks limiting his impact and disrupting the balance of the team.

The calls to switch Tuilagi’s role have come from some of the most respected figures in the game. In particular, 2003 World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward has been leading the cries for Tuilagi to change position. Writing in his column in The Daily Mail, Woodward outlined his preferred back division:

Assuming no injuries, I would bring Danny Care and Owen Farrell in at half-back, pair Billy Twelvetrees and Luther Burrell at centre and move Manu Tuilagi to the left wing.

Meanwhile, England head coach Stuart Lancaster, who was quick to highlight that Tuilagi played plenty of under-20s rugby on the wing, explained to BBC Radio 5 Live that:

I always wanted in the back line a balance of pace, power, footballers and people who can distribute as well. We need to find out about these players. I'd rather find out now than 12 months from the World Cup and it's an exciting back line, there's no doubt about it.

But under-20s rugby is a far cry from the Test arena, and Tuilagi’s record of 11 tries in 23 outings from the centre is excellent.

Due to the form of Luther Burrell, and Billy Twelvetrees slowly improving as an international No. 12, the temptation is to move Tuilagi to the back three to accommodate these two or Kyle Eastmond, who impressed against the All Blacks last Saturday. But this temptation should have been wholeheartedly resisted by the England management. It will w...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

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