England centre Manu Tuilagi will miss the start of the 2024 Six Nations with a groin problem that he suffered for Sale in last weekend’s victory over Saracens.
The physically strong 32-year-old sustained a grade three tear early in the second half and will miss six weeks of action. Despite not needing surgery, he may play later in the Championship, which ends in mid-March.
But with fly-half Owen Farrell taking a break from international rugby, Steve Borthwick will once again need to reconsider his strongest starting XV after Tuilagi played such a crucial role in the midfield during the World Cup alongside Joe Marchant, who is likewise unavailable because he is currently playing rugby in France with Stade Francais.
Alex Sanderson, director of rugby at Sale, stated, “Manu has pulled his groin and we think he’s going to be back during the Six Nations, but not for the first week.”
When I spoke with him, he said, “I need to play, and England will decide who gets to play.”
“I’ve previously expressed his want to continue playing international rugby, and he was previously in the frame.
“Manu is recommending four weeks, but six weeks is the recommended time for the injury.”
The injury-plagued center will not be able to play in the opening game for the fourth consecutive tournament; last year, the year before his run of bad luck started, he had to leave the first game in just the sixteenth minute.
Bevan Rodd, Tuilagi’s club teammate, had toe surgery, therefore he will miss the entire competition.
