Manu Tuilagi reveals the family's Huge Christmas dinner menu

There are clearly upsides to being out injured as a rugby player. You can indulge at the dinner table and loosen the belt a notch. Just a notch, mind.

Reporter Martin Crowson caught up with the England centre for a chat ahead of the Sharks round of festive fixtures.

Tuilagi revealed that last year "All of my family came round last Christmas. We had a full 52-kg pig and that'll be the plan again."

"Plenty of pigs and blankets and roast potatoes as well."

When asked if there was any leftovers, the centre replied: "Only the vegetables."

That pig never stood a chance. Not with this gang around...

Age: 33

Rugby career: The versatile back began his career at Leicester Tigers in 2005, but after failing to break into the first team, subsequently joined Leeds for an impressive two seasons. He then joined Sale Sharks for three years before short stints with Newport, Newcastle Falcons and French side Tarbes. The powerhouse also won 15 caps for Samoa between 2005 and 2015.

Post rugby: Now back in Samoa with his family.

Did you know? Tuilagi became the youngest player to play for Samoa at aged 19 years and 27 days when he made his debut in July 2005 against Tonga, where he scored a try to also become the youngest player ever to score for Samoa.

Age: 39

Rugby career: The 37-cap Samoa international began his career in Italy with Parma; playing for the club between 2002 and 2004. Following an excellent eight years playing for Leicester Tigers, scoring 58 tries and winning a shed load of silverware, he joined Japanese side  NTT Communications Shining Arcs in 2012. The winger then spent two seasons with Newcastle Falcons before ending his career following a short stint with Toulon.

Playing style: As an incredibly strong player, the winger used his blend of pace and power to good effect, proving a nightmare for many defences. Such a combination of speed and strength makes him very difficult for defences to handle.

Post rugby: He is now living in Samoa with his beautiful young family

Did you know? The winger was part of the Samoan squad that beat Australia 32 – 23 on 17 July 2011 at Sydney in a test match. Tuilagi made the opening try as Samoa ran in 4 tries to Australia's two.

Age: 43

Rugby career: The back-rower was a rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He appeared ten times for his national team Samoa and played club rugby with Parma, Leicester Tigers and USA Perpignan,

Post Rugby: Moved back to Samoa with his family and now runs a successful events company, which a lot of the family helps out with

Playing style: Henry was known for his enormous strength, and is one of the strongest athletes in sporting history whose career was not dedicated to powerlifting as an end in itself. At his peak, he bench pressed 250 kg (551 lb) raw for several reps

Did you know? He was also capped for Samoa at Rugby League in 1999

Age: 31

Rugby career: The number 8 also began his career at Leicester Tigers, making three first team appearances between 2007 and 2009. He's since spent his entire career playing in the French second tier; first with Narbonne for two years before joining US Carcassonne, where he continues to ply his trade to this day. Sanele has also represented Tonga, earning nine caps

Did you know? He prefers just to be called Andy

Age: 48

Rugby career: After playing rugby union at international level for Samoa, he turned professional and played rugby league for English clubs Halifax Blue Sox and St. Helens. He then returned to Union; joining Leicester for four seasons between 2000 and 2004. The wing/centre then enjoyed short stints with Castres and Cardiff before retiring in 2006,

Post rugby: Since retiring from playing, Tuilagi has acted as an agent for several players – mainly Samoans playing abroad through his company Global Bro Sports. Tuilagi also had a spell playing American Football for the Leicester Falcons during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. 

Did you know? In a 2015 preseason friendly, his son Fred Tuilagi also made an appearance for Leicester Tigers and became the 8th Tuilagi to get his senior cap for the Tigers coming off the bench in the Anglo-Welsh Cup 21-20 victory over Bath Rugby.

Age: 28

Rugby career: The youngest of six brothers in the Samoan rugby dynasty to have played for Leicester Tigers, Manu qualified for England on three years’ residency and wasted no time in making an indelible impression. The centre has since won 43 caps for England between 2011 and 2019, including playing in the 2011 Rugby World Cup and starting in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final. He played for the Lions on their 2013 tour to Australia, winning one cap.

Away from the pitch: His settled home life has been credited for keeping his career on track. Manu became a father two years ago and settling down with fiancee Chantelle Garrity has helped him focus on the latter stages of his international career.

Chantelle is a Manchester University graduate who went on to work in her family's Leicestershire-based construction company as a business development manager.

She now spends the majority of her time at home looking after their daughter, Leilani Lea'auta, whose name translates to 'heavenly flower'.

Playing style: An absolute wrecking ball of a centre who is unstoppable once he gets moving.

Did you know? He was named Manusamoa, after the name of the Samoan national team

Born Olotuli, she now goes by the name of Julie.

The only sibling not to play rugby, in Polynesian culture she is fa’afafine, or third gender.

The term translates as 'in the manner of woman', which is why she dedicated her life to helping her parents around the house, behaving like a dutiful daughter, while her brothers chased their rugby dreams.

Tuilagi and his brothers have always been supportive of Julie with Manu buying her make-up and designer handbags.