Sale's Manu is keeping it in the family

COLE SINGS PRAISES OF TUILAGI FAMILY

- DUNCAN BECH

MANU Tuilagi faces Samoa for the first time in today’s World Cup clash in Lille amid acclaim from Dan Cole for the impact his family have had on English rugby.

Manu is the youngest of seven Tuilagi brothers, six of whom have played for Cole’s club Leicester and five for Samoa – each of them ferocious competitors feared for their tackle-busting carries and brutal hits.

Only Manu, who arrived in the UK as a teenager, has represented England and despite making his Test debut in 2011 and accumulating 55 caps it is just now that he is facing the nation of his birth.

Freddie was the first to make his presence felt in the Premiership with Henry and Alesana following soon after and although Manu has since left Leicester for Sale, the Tuilagi legacy lives on in the East Midlands.