Tuilagi in Line for England Clash with Samoa, Marchant Joins Sale with Title Ambitions
MANCHESTER – England head coach Steve Borthwick faces a potential international showdown with former center Manu Tuilagi, who is eligible too play for Samoa, while receiving a boost with the confirmed signing of Sale Sharks’ Sam Marchant. The developments add complexity to England’s Six Nations preparations, beginning February 7th against Wales.
Marchant, recently signed by Sale on Wednesday, expressed his enthusiasm for joining a club with championship aspirations. “When I spoke to [Sale director of rugby] Alex Sanderson he explained the direction he wants to take the club and the ambition he has. It’s a club that wants to win trophies and I’d love to be a part of that,” Marchant stated. His arrival provides Borthwick with another experienced option ahead of the Six Nations.
Meanwhile, Sale wing Tom Roebuck revealed he sustained a broken toe bone during England’s 38-31 victory over New Zealand on November 15th. Roebuck anticipates an 8-10 week recovery period, sidelining him initially but holding hope for a return during the Six Nations campaign. “I saw the specialist last Friday and he said no operation,which is good,but we are looking at 8-10 weeks [out],” Roebuck explained. “We didn’t realize how bad it was until the day after when I had the scan. I got off the pitch and it was pretty angry but we managed to get through it … I woke up in the morning, got the scan and it was pretty purple. The bone had just snapped.”
The eligibility of Tuilagi for Samoa, following a change in World Rugby regulations, presents a challenging scenario for England. The powerful centre previously represented England 43 times but qualifies for Samoa through his mother. A potential match-up between Tuilagi and England would add important intrigue to any future fixture against the Pacific Islanders.
