Manu Tuilagi to make timely return for Sale’s Champions Cup opener
Robust centre Manu Tuilagi is in line to make his return this weekend for Sale Sharks against Stade Francais at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Tuilagi has not played since England’s bronze medal match at the Rugby World Cup where he suffered a hand injury.
In his absence, Sale has had a strong start to the season, leading the Premiership for a fair portion of the campaign so far. Now the side turns their attention to their Champions Cup on Sunday.
Energetic Tuilagi
Director of rugby Alex Sanderson is loving the energy he is seeing from Tuilagi whilst also confirming his availability.
“Manu is up for selection,” Sanderson said.
“He is more enthusiastic and energetic than most of the 19 and 20-year-olds we’ve got knocking around the place.
“He is loving being out there. He was bouncing around today and just looking a guy 10 years younger than what he is.”
The Sale boss is relishing the challenge ahead in the Champions Cup where his side find themselves in a group with Leinster, La Rochelle, the Stormers, Leicester and Stade Francais.
Sanderson added: “It’s Europe – big teams, a big competition. It feels like every game is a knockout.
“We don’t want to be the whipping boys of this group, which I think most people had us down to be when the pools were announced.
Proper motivation
“That is proper motivation for us, to step out of that shadow. They are all hard groups, but this is way and above the hardest.
“It is a brilliant opportunity to see how you stack up against the best. That is our take on it.
“Stade are almost top of their tree, then it is Leinster the week after – perennial finalists – and La Rochelle, the current champions, not to mention Stormers, who were probably the best team in South Africa last season.
“What an opportunity – biggest teams, biggest crowds, best venues. It’s as close to international rugby (as) you will get.
“We have made a decent statement in the Premiership, and we want to continue that momentum through the Champions Cup.”
