Manu Tuilagi will miss the 2015 Rugby World Cup after pleading guilty to assaulting a female police officer, according to a report in the Times. England head coach Stuart Lancaster confirmed that the Leicester centre would not be considered for selection in the squad as a result.
Tuilagi has missed the majority of the season with injury but is such an influential player that it is likely he would have been included at the very least in the wider England squad for the tournament.
He was convicted of three charges of assault and one charge of criminal damage after pleading guilty at Leicester magistrates court.
Lancaster said: “As role models and ambassadors for the game, the highest standards of behaviour are expected from every England player both on and off the field. Having spoken to Manu, he understands and accepts both the seriousness of the offences to which he has pleaded guilty and the consequences of his behaviour to his club, country and the game as a whole. England will continue to liaise with Leicester Tigers and have every confidence that the club will continue to support Manu in the right way.”
Leicester Tigers Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill said: “Manu knows and accepts his responsibilities and has received a significant punishment in being excluded from the England squad and the club will also take internal disciplinary action. While we do not in any way condone his actions in this case, Manu is a young man who has grown up in the public eye and he is a good professional in a top-level environment. He always gives his time very generously to supporters, particularly young ones, wherever he goes, and fully understands the role that the fans have played in his career. We will continue to work closely with him on his return to full fitness and look forward to his return to the field in due course.”
Manu Tuilagi said: “I take full responsibility for my actions and unreservedly apologise to all those involved in the incident, Leicester Tigers and England. It is something I deeply regret and I totally accept the sentence given by the court. The club and Stuart have been very supportive and I understand their sanctions too. I know as an England player the need to conduct myself as a good role model for the game. I am very disappointed because my actions have let so many people down and I can only hope for a future chance to prove myself again.”
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
53 replies on “Tuilagi to miss World Cup after assaulting police officer”
What a flippin idiot
Oh well paves the way for Slades inclusion
Absolute plank. Give me Joseph, Daley or Slade over him any day.
Punish Manu by all means.But don’t compromise Englands’ World Cup aspirations and the hopes of thousands of devoted fans
Yeah put him in jail where he belongs.
Meow!
Oh yes and lets set a good example to all the impressionable children who look up to him, good comment and its not like we missed him in the 6 nations and this isn’t his first balls up either.
What a prat! Oh well I guess Daly or Slade will get his spot.
I’m afraid he has form, the attack on Ashton was disgraceful and should have warned Lancaster that he was volatile and could therefore be a liability in pressure situations. That aside would he have been match fit anyway? Personally I would prefer Daly or Slade they have better rugby brains and stronger skills sets, if we are honest Manu doesn’t have great hands. If Lancaster must have a ‘basher’ at centre to fit in with his preferred game plan he could do worse than go for Burgess who has an excellent temperament and is as hard as nails. I can’t imagine ‘slamming’ letting the team down but I can Manu. Another possibility is Banahan he is in a rich vein of form and very much in the knocking down walls mould.
Got to agree Roy. I actually think this has done England a favour.I was really perturbed by Lancaster’s silly fetish with this guy.
He is very far from the finished article and although he has had some success in a Red Rose shirt he has never been consistent or enough of a team player to merit all the fuss,which ironically may be contributing to his attitude problems.I sincerely hope he does get his head right but right now I’m just so relieved he won’t be involved.
I take your point re “Slammin” but don’t think he has enough experience of the code yet. A pity because ,as you say, he has the maturity to go with the “biff”.
I would LOVE to see Banahan back in the fold but Lancaster has a bit of previous with him.As we all know SL is not the most humble man in the world so I think that big Matt will sit this one out unfortunately.
It’s going to be intriguing to see who makes the training squad. Bring it on.
Seriously assault on a female? Ban him for a year irrespective of the factors one thing a man never does. Bringing the game into disrepute and then some.
just ban him full stop, we don’t need american football style dickheads in the game.
3 assault charges and a criminal damage-he’s lucky he’s not going to jail.
Any member of the public convicted of all these would still be jailed despite the guilty plea!
As he is a professional sportsman he gets preferential treatment that Jo Public would never ever benefit from.
Every time a sportsman gets done for assault we get the usual Mae Culpa and a fine that people can Tuilagi can easily afford to pay.
Equality b 4 the law…..my arse.
So much for having learned his lesson after jumping from that ferry in RWC 2011!
He’ll be back in an England jersey I promise you that..any RFU ban will be short and meaningless and he’ll be playing in the 6n in 2016
I can’t put into words how dumb this is. My best attempt would be to say that this makes Hartley’s outburst at Barnes look intellectual.
Stars like Beauden Barrett, Julian Saves, Wesley Fofana, Sam Warburton (heck the entire Welsh team) and countless others are going to go through their whole careers without the glory of a home World Cup, they’re only going to get rarer and rarer as the sport expands. Yet this dickhead gets himself banned from his through sheer stupidity.
a) Hes not that good – just a big lump
b) As others have said he’s lucky not to be in jail
c) Given the awful world of corrupt politicians and bent bankers that we live in, its more important than ever that our sportsmen should be proper role models for our kids
d) Given the adulation they will receive during the world cup and the competition for places – c – should be automatic without ever needing to be said….
e) In spite of all the moaning about the centers, England have a lot of very good possible players to come in. Slade looks very exciting for example….
This is a disaster. Manu is a unique talent. Those who disagree might care to suggest what England player would be more greatly missed. Please don’t say Robshaw.
Yeah that unique he smacks around a female. Should be banned period. I would say the same if it was a Scottish player. He has previous for this but a female seriously? Is that the sort of scum you want representing your country in the world cup?
Where did I say Manu shouldn’t be dropped? I was merely lamenting how this will impact on the England team & our prospects in the world cup. Manu is irreplaceable. Every other player has one or more good understudies.
Ah understood, apologies about the tone of the reply.
No sweat 🙂 For what it’s worth, I reckon Manu may never play for England again. He is injury prone & he’s missed the world cup. He may decide to go to France and earn his fortune while he can.
Sorry but that is bollocks. If you seriously believe that he is England’s saviour then words fail me. Did England miss him against France? Nope. Ireland ?No. I could go on. Being 17and a half stone and charging at the opposition is all well and good but you also need tactical awareness, an appreciation of your team mates,how to nullify the opposition dangemen,oh and not getting a criminal record also helps!
Your’e not Cockerill in disguise are you?
If Manu was fit & available his name would be one of the first on Lancaster’s team sheet. And almost everyone’s team sheet. But clearly you think somebody could do a better job alongside JJ? Maybe Barritt or Burrell? LOL.
As far as I can remember Manu hasn’t played at 12 under Lancaster. Always picked at 13, either outside Barritt or 12T.
Personally I think Farrell or Slade may be our best option at 12 between Ford and JJ.
I think he played 12 inside Joseph for the drawn SA test back 2012.
As`I said in my earlier comment Lancaster has a bit of a blind spot over tuilagi. Just because he would be first choice does not automatically make him the right choice.
He is still trading purely on his size and power and has not added more subtle ingredients to his game. That will take you so far. Also. I presume you are now completely writing of our chances of winning the WC? Bit one eyed don’t you think?
I’m not going to get into a protracted argument,you have your view,I have mine. A` little perspective would be nice though.
Be interested who you think is a better option at 12? Twelvetrees, Barritt or Burrell are the likely 3 to come in, most probably Barritt.
Tuilagi absolutely deserves his ban, but England will absolutely miss him.
I really don’t think they will miss him. As it stands it’s academic anyway. The big problem England have is the one they had well before Manu’s misdemeanour. A BALANCED centre pairing.
What I find annoying is the fact that we have the largest number of players, had plenty of time to sort this out in terms of try outs/combo’s etc and we are still piddling about four and a half months away from the tournament.
Now some will leap on that as justification for their belief that Manu was the answer but in the light of JJ’s performances in the 6N that doesn’t stack up. Joseph is a nailed on starter barring injury or an outbreak of insanity from SL. Therefore he needs a partner who is disciplined and switched on defence wise. A good kicking game is also desirable and the ability to be a support/decoy runner when breaks are on.
Right now nobody really stands out. Barritt would be my choice for his power in the tackle but he lacks a bit elsewhere. 12T just frustrates,ditto Burrell who doesn’t seem to believe in himself at int’l level. Time is tight for a “bolter” to be thrown in.
I really don’t know. Eastmond? Daly?,Slade looks a bit lightweight to me Sam Hill? again too much of a tyro.
I’ll say Barritt but I’m ready for the backlash!
Well, England will go ‘a-poaching’ these PI types!
Wasn’t it only a couple ago that everyone, esp incl the meedya, were salivating that he was the best thing since the ‘U’ bend after the AB win? Short, collective, memories are made of this.
Manu was always like, well SBW, long on bash, short on much else. Now that he’s blotted his copybook before a WC, ‘fans’ have now dropped him quicker than a rattlesnake in a lucky dip. Impressive!
Bit dumb sure, but c’mon, it was only a copper & a taxi driver(!!!) whom he shoved a bit. If it’d been a politician, surely he’d have been knighted by now!?
Like you Don I allowed my self a bit of schadenfreude when I heard the news.
But you maybe old enough to remember the bans given out to 4 England players in the 5n of 1987 after their thuggery v Wales that year.
All 4 bans that were rescinded in time for the inaugural RWC in NZ a few months later. The time banned totalled 1 match.
This year we had Hartley the serial offender back in time for 6n opener.
The RFU/English establishment always does this soirt of thing… the RFU’s own discipline officer is a former copper who ran over a teenage girl and fracturing her skull when he was over the drink-drive limit. Kept his police job and pension of course and is now on the RFU pay roll
The RFU/English Establishment stinks when it comes to disciplining their own and always will.
Top work Enoch! Linking the fact with the sentiment took some doing;
“Tuilagi to miss World Cup after assaulting police officer”.
“The RFU/English Establishment stinks when it comes to disciplining their own and always will.”
Talking of rescinded bans, you are familiar with this chap?
(as he is not English, you may not have been paying so much attention)
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-conversion-of-a-wild-man-guy-hodgson-meets-a-reformed-rugby-coach-on-a-divine-mission-1507167.html
Blub,
Your reference is not exactly same league I am afraid. Many clubs the World over have people who do stupid and even awful things on/off the pitch. And I always suspicious of former troublemakers who suddenly find religion and tell us all about their road to Damascus conversions. The guy you reference was nowhere the Welsh team so don’t see the relevance.
However the RFU/the English Establishment excel at making sure their international players do not face the deserved consequences of their actions.
This is the same RFU that took out a court injunction to prevent a BBC sports programme on violence in sport showing said an English international perforating the ear-drum of a young Scottish player in a vile off the ball and cowardly assault in the 1992 Calcutta Cup game at Murrayfield.
So he broke Phil Davies’ cheekbone in 1987 and assaulted a Scottish player in 1992. Yet is held up as a ‘great player’
Still that was the ‘hard man of English rugby…………’ much admired by the RFU and England’s fans ………..hitting people when they were not looking or had their back turned to him.
That’s really tough that is.
It is still happening with people Hartley-yet another serial offender with bans for gouging, biting, elbowing but the RFU make sure he is available for England.
I suppose he is just being combative by sticking his fingers in people’s eyes or biting players from opposing team?
The relevance Enoch is that the Welsh RFU banned him for life. Then rescinded it. Then banned him again.
Your initial rant concerned the Union (“The RFU/English Establishment stinks etc, etc…”)
You still cannot see the wood for the trees Blub.
Better ask your old Nanny to explain it to you.
I am merely point out the facts. Going on about some fool from the Rhondda who played club rugby and saying it is the same as Plod conveniently NOT sacking Dooley and NOT telling the press about Tuilagi until AFTER the trial where he pleaded guilty and got fined £6k.
I am sure Cliff Richard and Freddie Starr might have wished for such treatment but no……. they weren’t England Sportsmen and so they get their alleged crimes all over the media whereas Tuilagi gets his actual crimes (that he admitted to) covered up for as long as possible by Leicester Police and someone like Dooley who goes on to work as RFU citing officer after a career where he should have been banned years b 4 he retired as a player.
Always reckoned Tui was a bit dumb, but this retro incredulity is bordering on hysteria with his almost being branded an Edward Snowden Mk II! What did people expect? He has a history fcol! Doesn’t this sit also reflect on Lancaster’s selectorial ability… but not a dickey bird about that. New broom sweeping clean & all that. Bah, humbug! Bring back Johnno I say.
And Stuart Barnes reckons it’s a good thing that Tui’s out of the WC as he made his rep with his ‘barnstorming’ thru a ‘sickly’ (his words not mine folks) 2012 ABs. When I proffered similar sentiments @ the time (as to the win) & implied that England (incl Tui) weren’t that good, I had all sorts of excrement poured down on my head. Maybe it’s called foresight, but in any event, perhaps Tui (& England) have turned out to be not quite all that after all.
Anyway, Barnes implies that Lancs can now concentrate on whom he has left in midfield. Simplifies it for him. Less chipping & chopping to do. Maybe he actually owes Tui in a perverse sort of way?
Made the below response to you Enoch, but it positioned under Blub. Uh, uh, more excrement!
The way he’s played in the 13 shirt, I would say Joseph would be missed as much. But then we also have Daly, Slade and Nowell who could all play excellently at 13. Tuilagi being injured meant Lancaster had to look at different options, and Joseph had found his form at the right time. Other players in the same position have also put their hand up for selection, so I don’t think Manu will be missed.
13 or 12 isn’t that relevany. SL (like all international teams), pair a bigger player with one more skilled. Daly, JJ, Slade are all really good options to add the guile and skill to our midfield.
However, Manu is by far and away the best option for the other shirt. Likely we’ll now see either Burrell or Barritt play; which will scare no international defence.
I must admit if Lancaster has to pick little and large in the midfield, on form I would rather see Banahan in the 12 shirt between Ford and JJ. He’s played very well at 12 for Bath, and the obvious familiarity between all three players would definitely help. Barritt is great defensively but will not scare any defences, 12T blows hot and cold on all fronts, even when he’s on form and Burrell is an odd one. Seems to have all the skills for a good centre, but his decision making in attack has been shown up recently for England. I think you know what I’m talking about?!
Absolutely – they all have flaws. Banahan is a big no go for me. Average hands, average pace and not even particularly strong on the ball carrying front when he gets to international level.
Twelvetrees looked for a long time like he could be brilliant but he just can not string together a few performances without having an absolute nightmare despite seeming to full a pretty full skill set. Burrell lacks the decision making skills for me, and he also lacks a real point of difference. Manu’s carrying, JJ’s step, Barritt’s defence – what’s Burrell’s?
I’d honestly lean towards Barritt. I think with JJ, Ford, Youngs etc. in the back line it wouldn’t be the end of the world to play him. The lack of options in the 12 shirt has bogged down SL for his whole reign and I was hoping a Manu/JJ partnership would solve that.
The other option of course is Farrell – which again I wouldn’t mind seeing. With Barritt next to him it is a massive no go; but next to JJ and used as a steady hand next to Ford it may well have a nice blend. I would then want to see a bigger winger selected over one of Nowell or Watson though, probably Roko.
I’d like to see Farrell or Slade play at 12. Farrell and Ford played in those respective positions a lot in the age groups for England (under SL). Farrell could be a very good link man between the two, and also add an extra dimension to attacks in set piece plays.
For me Slade has a very similar skillset to Farrell, but with a little more pace, but maybe not the same defensive abilities. He is another very good option at 12. Both him and Farrell are better decision makers than Burrell having spent so much time playing FH.
I’d prefer Farrell over Slade simply because of his goal kicking. Whilst I rate Ford I still don’t have the same confidence in him in this area as I do Farrell.
Saying that I still think an international midfield of Ford-Farrell/Salde-JJ is far too lightweight.
That’s why I’d lean towards Barritt, who whilst isn’t a bosher offensively he definitely is in D.
Point taken. As a Sarries fan I would have to say that Barritt is still underrated in his attacking ability. Many times I’ve seen him offloading in mid tackle, and send through some very clever kicks when needed.
I think the reason we haven’t seen him do this for England is because that’s not how England wanted him to play. They wanted him as a stick it up your jumper/extra back rower kind of centre. With someone like JJ outside him and Ford at 10, we might see some of his attacking play come to the fore.
On balance I think this isn’t a disaster for England. It now means Lancaster can stop waiting for him to get fit, can concentrate on what will be the actual centre pairing for the WC now.
That’s the rugby. The incident is deplorable but perhaps some should read the judgement before launching into some hyperbole. He pushed a female officer in the chest when she trees to handcuff him and this is rightly viewed as assault on a police officer. He wasn’t, however, “smacking around” a woman.
Completely agree with all points, I was about to comment on Alastair post above when I saw this, he clearly hasn’t read what happened and has jumped to conclusions as to the severity of the incident.
Personally I think Lancaster should give Henry Slade some serious consideration
Yup jumped to conclusions saw assault females and basically the red mist descended, thanks for calling me up on it. Agree it does make selection easier now.
Brighty thanks for calling me up on my assumptions.
I hope I am wrong but sadly some people will probably never learn and it would appear Manu is one of them. He’ll miss the world cup and deservedly so but will we now ever now if he might have recovered or not in time to take part, therefore does the punishment fit the crime. A full year ban might have been more appropriate. Still given this state of affairs it forces Lancaster to introduce a ball player in the center which many of us will approve of especially since the last forced change was the re-introduction of JJ things might prove very positive but whatever happens don’t play Farrell at 12.
Bang on Peter,definitely not Farrell Jnr!!
Putting aside the fact that he had a lot of catching up to do both in his ability ( distribution and kicking) and playing time, in terms of getting any where near the squad,I would also like to ask where the hell are his family; he has older brothers,a dad. I suggest that he has lacked guidance and mentoring from the offset. This is not his first reckless action, what’s Cockers been doing to help the mentoring process? This really annoys me. Some human beings need more arms around their shoulders than others. He’s always had a boyish vulnerability ( despite his physical prowess) and has been let down by those close to him
He doesn’t need arms around him, he needs a straight jacket! Then with a bit of luck, he could only push people around on the rugger field – so long as no none pushes him 1st of course. Ouch!
He is an adult now too, presumably old enough to vote etc, so perhaps he also needs anger management counselling?
Good points well made Sharpey. I can only agree.
I read all comments and most quite valid, But i would have to say Manu can produce the X factor at the highest, level not sure some of the other candidates can! ask the All Black’s Aussies and Springboks if they would prefer NOT to face Manu & you’d get a very quick “Yes Please – Thank You Stewart!”
And Manu it’s true as had the occasional “Brain Fart” what a doughnut! (and I am from Leicester) But he does mass’s of charity work for the community, Hambo etc and he is genuinely a nice bloke and quite humble.
Although It might not seem that way to everyone, He’s a loaded gun! – Dylan gets the same rap! And you can’t keep your arms around him 24/7, and of course he will mature! Very few have the perfect boy next door reputation. Jonny Wilko aside.
He knows he did wrong!! allow him to play! don’t not cut your nose off to spite your face! But only If Fit! I don’t think he would start anyway. Because JJ is in position & on merit! and perhaps with Eastmond or for me Slade. But Manu off the bench that would present Havoc/Chaos for opposition!
All debate aside does he represent a better chance of us winning with him in the squad?
for me Yes! And I’d always pick the talent! (same as – is KP our best batsmen – everyone knows it – Then Play Him) Just Manage him better!
You state; ‘ask the All Black’s Aussies and Springboks if they would prefer NOT to face Manu & you’d get a very quick “Yes Please – Thank You Stewart!”’, but this is just opinion. You can’t possibly get inside AB, Aus, or Saffa heads as you imply you do.
And Tuilangi did eff all in NZ, esp with the hare brained move which saw him move to the wing. Like many NH’ers, you seem to base yr opinions, incl those regarding him, on far too little evidence.
He’s too ltd. Can’t pass, kick, or decide what to do when, or quickly enough. Needs better schooling to make him the more rounded article esp @ Int’al level. He’s PREDICTABLE. Likely only have frightened 2nd tier WC teams.
Admire yr loyalty & agree that he’s been unfairly demonised by rugby’s fickle ‘Hanging Judge Jeffreys’ types. But as aforementioned above, he has a rep. Needs to keep his thinking going… & be kept away from Wayne Barnes!
Sorry Don P – It is my Opinion and I do respect the point of View
Your correct I’m only suspecting what AB Aus and Boks might think! of course!
And Manu does have many limitations in his game, as you point out! – But Know One Carries Like Him – No One! When Fit! (Just think we might need that Option)
Will Greenwood – He Isn’t (Never been replaced! – Thought Twelvetrees had skill set – Now not sure on that one – Good Player but again not a Greenwood)
And I think (Again My Feelin ) that them down south do respect the power that he brings – my feelin is that some of other candidates wouldn’t cope as well?
For instance Elliot Daly – fantastic season at Wasp perhaps evens deserves a go!
never played at that level – just can’t see him coping with a Nonu! etc
Don’t think Manu would be fit anyway!! So irrelevant discussion really
he’s just been a right “Doughnut”