Manu's Most Memorable Matches
Manu Tuilagi will earn his 50th cap against the Springboks this weekend.
We take a look back at some of the England stalwart’s most memorable performances in an England jersey.
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2011: Debut against Wales
A fresh-faced 20-year-old Manu Tuilagi was called up to the England training squad ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup and made his debut in the summer in a warm up fixture against Wales.
Tuilagi started the match, which England won 23-19, and scored his first international try early in the second half, powering through defenders inside the Wales 22 and crossing the line.
James Haskell also scored, while 13 points from Jonny Wilkinson’s boot secured a narrow victory against the Welsh.
2012: Running riot at Twickenham
One of Tuilagi’s most memorable matches came a year later when he was unleashed against the All Blacks at Twickenham.
He set up his centre partner Brad Barritt for England’s first try in the second half, before bulldozing his way through New Zealand defenders and offloading to Chris Ashton for the second.
Polishing off a fine performance in front of a raucous home crowd, Tuilagi finally found the try line himself when he picked off a Kieran Read pass on the halfway line and ran the ball in from 50 metres.
2019: Dominance over Ireland
England ran in eight tries against Ireland in their Rugby World Cup warm up fixture in the summer of 2019 and marked their biggest winning margin against the visitors in the process.
It was a man of the match performance from Tuilagi, who put on a show once again for the Twickenham crowd. Taking his share of the spoils with a try in the first half, the centre was instrumental in England’s attacking play.
Tries from Elliot Daly, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Tom Curry, Luke Cowan-Dickie and a Joe Cokanasiga brace secured a comfortable victory in the sun.
2019: Power game
Tuilagi was a standout performer in England's 57-14 drubbing of Italy at Twickenham in the Six Nations.
The centre put in a powerful performance, busting through the Italian line, and getting England's attack firing. his first try came on the 20-minute mark, as he shrugged off his opposite man on the half way line before cantering in unopposed. His second was an easy walk in as Jamie George provided the assist.
He joined the hooker on the scoreboard, alongside Brad Shields (2), George Kruis and Dan Robson, as well as 11 points from the boot of Owen Farrell and six from George Ford.
2019: Semi-final triumph
England reached the Rugby World Cup final thanks to a sublime performance against the All Blacks in Yokohama in which Tuilagi was instrumental.
Eddie Jones’ men controlled the narrative from early on, striking early with fierce attacking play to force themselves into the New Zealand 22.
Tuilagi rumbled over within the first two minutes for what turned out to be his side’s only try of the day, after Sam Underhill and Ben Youngs each had attempts chalked off.
Owen Farrell’s conversion and four George Ford penalties were the difference as England served New Zealand their first World Cup loss in 12 years.
