'my Brothers Might Force Me' - Tuilagi On Possible Samoa Switch

Manu Tuilagi, who won 60 caps for England earlier moving to French broadside Bayonne and retired of eligbility successful 2024, says he whitethorn effort to correspond Samoa astatine nan adjacent Rugby World Cup.

Tuilagi, who was calved successful Samoa but moved to nan UK astatine 13, would suffice to move allegiances nether World Rugby's birthright norm successful March 2027 - 3 years aft his past England cap.

Samoa were nan last squad to make nan 2027 World Cup successful Australia, after scraping past Belgium successful a play-off earlier this month.

"It depends if I'm still beryllium capable to compete astatine that level," the 34-year-old told Rugby Union Weekly.

"It's nan World Cup - if you go, you spell to triumph and to springiness your best, not conscionable truthful you tin opportunity I'll play different World Cup.

"I'll beryllium 36 then, truthful I don't know. We'll see."

Five of Tuilagi's older brothers - Andy, Alesana, Henry, Sanele Vavae and Freddie - person played for Samoa, while 1 of Manu's last matches for England was against them, an 18-17 triumph successful nan excavation stages of nan 2023 Rugby World Cup.

"It's crazy to spot wherever Samoa are from being adjacent to beating america successful 2023," said Manu.

"It's reliable to see.

"My 5 brothers person played for Samoa, possibly they will opportunity 'go, get connected nan flight'!"

Tuilagi played 20 convention matches successful Bayonne's tally to nan Top 14 play-off semi-finals past season, a tally of fittingness that he seldom matched during his clip successful England.

Although presently retired of action pinch a manus injury, he believes a alteration of scenery has helped him debar longer lay-offs.

"I deliberation it's nan sun and nan reddish wine, thing for illustration that," he joked.

"Training's aggravated [in England], complete location possibly not arsenic intense.

"It's agelong - connected Tuesday, our large day, we will still beryllium up astatine 6-7km [of moving successful nan session]

"But nan interaction is not arsenic overmuch arsenic successful England… conscionable successful wide nan manner is different, nan measurement nan French unrecorded is very, very relaxed."

One facet that is not relaxed is nan ambiance astatine Stade Jean Dauger. Bayonne attracted an mean regular-season attendance of 16,445 - a caller nine grounds - successful their past campaign.

"Before I went, I heard that Bayonne had sewage nominated for nan champion spot to watch rugby," Tuilagi said.

"Then nan first location crippled I thought 'this is nuts, this is nine rugby, but nan ambiance is almost for illustration you're coming retired of Twickenham'.

"It's not for illustration nan aforesaid magnitude of people, but wow, they make it truthful big."

Tuilagi is group to play successful England for nan first clip since he near Sale successful summertime 2024, pinch Bayonne's Champions Cup run taking successful trips to Harlequins connected 14 December and Leicester connected 10 January, either broadside of location matches against Stormers and Leinster.