THIS GAME IS A BLESSING

Manu poised to trade in Red Rose for big move abroad

- ADAM HATHAWAY

MANU TUILAGI insists the years of agony have been worth it as he prepares to sign off on his England career.

The centre will win his 60th, and probably last, cap tonight off the bench against France but could have had more than 150 if he had not compiled such a crippling injury list.

Tuilagi's setbacks read like a medical dictionary with Achilles, pectoral muscle, hand, hamstring, groin and knee problems all ticked off since his Test debut in 2011.

Throw in a couple of suspensions, one for assaulting police in 2015, and Tuilagi has missed way more games than he has played.

The Sale star, 32, is set to move to France or Japan at the end of the season, which would put him off limits for boss Steve Borthwick and terminate a Red Rose career highlighted by the destruction of the All Blacks in 2012 but which could have ended up more fulfilling. However, Tuilagi says he wouldn't swap his lot for anything, despite the endless medical mishaps and long periods of rehab.