England have found their Manu Tuilagi replacement - and he's a MONSTER
Rugby NewsMonday, 03 October 2022 at 10:18
England may have finally found their long-term Manu Tuilagi replacement in Harlequins powerhouse centre Lennox Anyanwu.
The 21-year-old, who picked up another man of the match award as Quins survived a late fightback to beat an error-prone Northampton Saints 35-29 at Twickenham Stoop, is an outstanding talent.
Anyanwu has started the season on fire, averaging 6.5 metres per carry and scoring two tries already this season.
The young Londoner, who spent last season on loan for Richmond, has grabbed his first-team opportunity with both hands while André Esterhuizen is away with South Africa for The Rugby Championship.
He's now being tipped for an England call ahead of the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.
One fan wrote: "Toot toot! The Lennox Anyanwu for England hype train has left the station and I am driving."
"He looks the real deal. Would love to see him in an England shirt very, very soon," said a second.
Tuilagi is likely to head overseas following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, making England's search for a long-term replacement more pressing than ever.
The powerhouse was very keen on a move to Racing 92 but the Top 14 side has gone cold on a potential move as they're looking to sign All Blacks star Beauden Barrett.
The Parisians were willing to pay Tuilagi around £830,000 per year back in 2019, which was more than twice what Sale is currently shelling out for him.
Tuilagi, who had a tour of their training ground when the previous offer was on the table, was only stopped from joining after crisis talks with England boss Eddie Jones.
There is also considerable interest from clubs in the USA, but a side from the Japanese top division is now the favourite to land the powerhouse centre.
DID YOU KNOW? He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team, Manu Samoa, because his brother Freddie was selected for Samoa at the World Cup in 1991, the year Manu was born
ANYANWU TRY AGAINST SAINTS:
ANYANWU TRY AGAINST NEWCASTLE:
England’s 2023 Rugby World Cup squad according to the bookies
Props (5):
- Ellis Genge 1/50
- Kyle Sinckler 1/10
- Mako Vunipola 1/5
- Will Stuart 1/3
- Joe Marler 2/5
Ellis Genge of England (digitally altered) during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Hookers (3):
- Jamie George 1/14
- Luke Cowan-Dickie 1/6
- Jamie Blamire 5/6
Locks (4):
- Maro Itoje 1/50
- Courtney Lawes 1/14
- Jonny Hill 1/5
- Ollie Chessum 1/5
Final whistle celebrations for Maro Itoje of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
Back-row (5):
- Tom Curry 1/14
- Billy Vunipola 1/9
- Alex Dombrandt 1/9
- Sam Underhill 1/5
- Lewis Ludlam 2/5
Tom Curry of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on January 13 2021. - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK
Scrum-halves (3):
- Jack van Poortvliet 1/33
- Ben Youngs 1/9
- Harry Randall 4/7
Ben Youngs of England on the break to go over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Fly-halves (2):
- Marcus Smith 1/50
- George Ford 1/5
Marcus Smith of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Centres (4):
- Owen Farrell 1/50
- Manu Tuilagi 1/5
- Henry Slade 3/10
- Joe Marchant 8/15
Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
Back-three (5):
- Freddie Steward 1/50
- Jack Nowell 1/14
- Jonny May 1/9
- Tommy Freeman 3/10
- Henry Arundell 2/5
Freddie Steward of England goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
NOTABLE ABSENTEES:
- Anthony Watson 5/6
- Sam Simmonds 5/6
- Jack Willis 13/10
- Ben Earl 2/1
- Danny Care 10/1
Danny Care of England arriving before the six Nations Championship match, between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 17th March 2017. (Photo:Dean Lancaster/PPAUK)
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