Manu Tuilagi’s Farewell as England and France Prepare for Crucial Six Nations Clash
As reported by BBC Rugby Union on March 14th, 2024, the upcoming clash between England and France promises to be a fierce battle as the two teams meet in a crucial Six Nations match. The contest at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon will be a bittersweet occasion for veteran England center Manu Tuilagi, who is set to make his 60th and final international appearance before parting ways with the national team.
Tuilagi’s Impending Departure and Borthwick’s Plea
The 32-year-old Tuilagi, a stalwart of English rugby over the past decade, is expected to leave his domestic club Sale Sharks at the end of the season, joining the growing exodus of English players seeking lucrative contracts overseas. England head coach Steve Borthwick has made a personal plea to Tuilagi, urging him to stay in the Premiership rather than move to France or Japan, where the financial offers are believed to be much higher.
“Manu’s a brilliant influence on the young players. He’s socially robust within the group, he’s brilliant at bringing people together. The very best players make everyone else be five per cent or 10 per cent better, because of their presence. And Manu has that effect,” the coach said.
England’s Momentum and Lineup
Despite Tuilagi’s impending departure, England will be looking to build on their stunning victory over Ireland last weekend, which was sealed by a last-gasp drop goal from fly-half Marcus Smith. Borthwick has kept faith in the same starting lineup, with the only change being the inclusion of Elliot Daly in place of the injured Manny Feyi-Waboso.
The England boss emphasized the importance of consistency and cohesion within the squad, stating, “We want to build strong relationships among this player group so we can continue to evolve our game. Having tangible evidence on the pitch, on matchdays, is important. It can be used to build belief. That is important. That’s a part of the journey.”
France’s Formidable Squad and Borthwick’s Acknowledgment
France, on the other hand, have named an unchanged team, retaining the formidable pack that overpowered Wales in their previous match. Borthwick acknowledges the immense physical challenge posed by the French, describing their forwards as “incredible size and power” while also possessing “incredible pace in their backline.”
“Test match rugby is a physical challenge and the two teams probably that pose the biggest physical challenge right now are South Africa and France. And we know that’s coming on Saturday night, we’ve been preparing for it, and I look forward to seeing this next step of our team.”
With the Six Nations title still within reach and Tuilagi’s international career drawing to a close, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter between two of rugby union’s heavyweight contenders. The outcome of this match could have significant implications for the future of both the English and French national teams as they continue their pursuit of glory on the global stage.
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