England’s Manu Tuilagi will take on Samoa for the first time on Saturday, turning his family dynasty full circle.
Tuilagi hails from Fogapoa, on Savai’i island, a village with a population of 309, but a hamlet where one name hangs on the lips of the locals.
And that is because the Tuilagi tribe has trotted the globe, stunning would-be tacklers and adoring fans, from the Pacific Islands to the East Midlands – and everywhere in between.
Freddie, Andy, Alesana, Henry, Vavae and Manu Tuilagi all graced Leicester’s colours with distinction. Manu’s five other Tuilagi siblings who made a living out of rugby all represented Samoa.
Manusamoa Tuilagi, to give him his full title, boasts the name of his fatherland, but represents England. Arriving in England on a holiday visa aged nine, Manu Tuilagi grew up in Leicester, thrived at the Tigers’ academy and started to make waves in rugby.
The teenage Tuilagi had to make an appeal to avoid deportation, but once that tribulation was taken care of, he went on to represent England with power, pace, panache and style.
Dan Cole saw all of this unfold at Leicester, and remains one of Tuilagi’s closest friends in the England ranks. A young Cole came off the bench when Alesana Tuilagi tore up Saracens en route to Leicester’s 33-27 Premiership final triumph in 2010.
Few players are better placed to offer an appraisal on the Tuilagi dynasty. And for any younger fans wanting to understand the Tuilagi supremacy, Cole’s instructions are easy to follow.
“Go on YouTube, type their names in and watch five-minute clips of them running over people; you will find out what they are about,” said Leicester and England stalwart Cole.
“They brought an immense physical presence. I remember training with Henry and Alesana, Freddie was a bit before me, but he was the head of the family in that regard.
“Those boys came over here and he made sure they fit in and added to the team. We have seen some highlights this week of Henry and Alesana and not only was it physicality but there was one season where Alesana was unstoppable.
“He was running over people and he had the ability to catch, pass and offload and be a decoy runner. Manu is a similar vein. They’re fantastic players and they’re a massive part of why Leicester are successful.
“There are plenty of YouTube clips that I enjoy because none of them were on me. Just go on YouTube and enjoy three hours worth of content of those guys hitting people and it is your afternoon sorted.”
The Tuilagi influence has been massive on Leicester and English rugby
England call Tuilagi “chief” not just because of his heritage, but also because of his standing in Steve Borthwick’s squad. Tuilagi has developed into a mature, thoughtful and considerate player and father.
And Cole believes he is now back able to produce his best rugby, after a clutch of injury-plagued years, and can bring all that to bear at the World Cup.
“The Tuilagi influence has been massive on Leicester and English rugby,” said Cole, ahead of Saturday’s final Pool D clash in Lille.
“The way in which the six brothers have played for Leicester and performed, culturally they set the tone in the way they play the game.
“Around that period of time, Alesana was the best winger in the world, Manu was coming onto the scene, and previously Henry and Freddie, we know their impact.
“That played a big part in the success of Leicester and how they played. And Manu’s been a massive part of England since 2011 when he got capped.
“The way he plays, the way he plays on the front foot, the physicality he brings, also the deftness of the touches he has around the field, and in defence he’s obviously a big presence as well.
“He’s a great player for us, and I know he’s very excited for this weekend. I think it’s the first time he’s ever played against Samoa. So I think he and his family are really looking forward to the occasion.
“And I think he’s overcome a lot, injury-wise, and credit to him, he’s kept going, he’s playing some of the best rugby he’s played now.
“So it’s credit to him and the people around him that they were able to get him back to this World Cup.
“I think he’s loving every minute, I think it makes him appreciate more probably how, when you first come onto the scene you take it for granted.
“Whereas now him and a lot of the older guys appreciate much more this stage of our careers what we’re doing and just enjoying every minute.
“Manu enjoys every day and what he brings to the field, he’s a great guy to have in the squad and to be around.”
