Manu Tuilagi’s England career ends after signing with surprise French club – report
England's Manu Tuilagi come on as a substitute during the Guinness Six Nations match at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France.
England and Sale Sharks centre Manu Tuilagi has reportedly decided which Top 14 club he will join next season.
Tuilagi came off the bench for England in their 33-31 loss to France on the weekend, earning his 60th and possibly final cap for the Red Rose as he looks set to ply his trade across the Channel.
Manu Tuilagi signs with Top 14 club
The midfielder has been linked with the likes of Montpellier and Perpignan ahead of the 2024/25 season, but according to reports in France, the England star will be joining Bayonne instead.
According to Canal+, Tuilagi has signed a two-year deal with Bayonne, having undergone medical examinations at the club today.
His decision to join Bayonne comes after months of speculation over whether he would extend his stay in the Premiership. It also solidifies Bayonne’s midfield options next season, having failed in their attempts to sign former All Black Francis Saili and Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey.
It’s a surprising choice of clubs as it was widely reported that Perpignan were the front-runner to land his signature, given that his nephew Posolo Tuilagi plays for the club while his older brother Henry also spent time there during his playing days.
Meanwhile, Sale Sharks have already signed Fiji captain Waisea Nayacalevu to fill Tuilagi’s void in the midfield next season.
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A blow to England
The move to Bayonne will make Tuilagi ineligible to play for England, adding to the already long list of stars who are or will be unavailable to Steve Borthwick, including Owen Farrell, Kyle Sinckler, Henry Arundell, Jack Willis, Lewis Ludlam, David Ribbans and Joe Marchant.
“Manu adds huge amounts to this squad. He’s a player who impacts upon people and he impacts upon games. I’m looking forward to seeing him impact upon this game on Saturday night,” Borthwick said ahead of the clash with France.
He added: “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.”
England centre Ollie Lawrence also spoke highly of Tuilagi and his impact on the squad.
“Manu’s been class. You ask anyone in the squad, he’s one of the best people around,” Lawrence said.
“He was my hero growing up, he was someone I looked up to and tried to emulate my game around.
“The way he was playing at a young age in an England shirt was amazing. To keep going playing at this level is testament to him really.
“To have the pleasure to take the field with him on the amount of occasions I have now is special and a memory I will look back on.
“Who knows what is going to happen in the future, but it has been a pleasure playing with Manu. He’s a great bloke on and off the field.”
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