Manu Tuilagi's could join Premiership rival as he nears Sale Sharks exit

Despite expectations of an exit last season, Tuilagi opted for a surprising one-year extension, keeping him at the club until the close of the 2023/24 campaign.

Hailing from the esteemed Samoan rugby dynasty, with five brothers preceding him at Leicester Tigers, Tuilagi's impact on the English scene has been nothing short of monumental since qualifying on residency grounds.

Whispers suggest Bristol Bears' head honcho Pat Lam holds a keen interest in securing Tuilagi's services, pending the crucial factor of whether the RFU extends a central contract offer.

Such contracts, spanning one to three years, are rumored to fetch around £150,000 annually, replacing the current pay-per-play structure of £23,000 per Test appearance. The aim? Stemming the tide of talent migration to leagues abroad.

Meanwhile, Sale Sharks are already eyeing up replacements for the departing Tuilagi, with former Wasps stalwart Sam Spink on their radar, according to Rugby Pass.

Spink, currently with Western Force, will be up for grabs come November, attracting interest from a cluster of Premiership outfits.

Exploring potential additions to the squad ahead of their clash with Scotland in two weeks time, we pinpoint three players whom the England boss should consider calling up.

After narrowly defeating Wales, Borthwick confirmed that the formidable centre was on the verge of returning from injury. It's evident that England is currently lacking a robust ball carrier in the midfield, and with Ollie Lawrence presumably still recovering, Tuilagi appears to be the logical choice.

Tuilagi sat out the beginning of the tournament due to a groin injury sustained in Sale's triumph over Saracens in December. The 32-year-old played a crucial role in England's midfield during the recent World Cup, making it probable that Borthwick will call upon him for the upcoming match at Murrayfield.

During the World Cup, Tuilagi faced setbacks, breaking his hand twice – first in England's encounter with Samoa and then in the third-place playoff against Argentina. Throughout his career, he has grappled with a persistent groin issue in its early stages and more recently encountered challenges with both hamstrings.

Currently rooted to the bottom of the table with 12 losses from 12 matches, Newcastle Falcons have literally only had Radwan's phenomenal try-scoring exploits to celebrate.

The two times-capped winger possesses electric footwork, lightening quick speed and exceptional finishing abilities. He deserved, at the very least, a space in the squad.

Sir Clive Woodward is a big fan of Radwan, and we can see why.

England risks squandering the talents of another standout player in Mercer. Despite not finding a spot in the current team, Mercer's noteworthy performances over the past years should warrant him at least a consideration to join the squad and showcase his abilities under Steve Borthwick's guidance.

The England head coach, who excluded Mercer from the Six Nations squad due to a perceived mismatch with his tactical approach, might benefit from setting aside personal preferences and taking a closer look at the accomplished Gloucester number 8.

Mercer, displaying a mature perspective, has decided to shift his focus away from international selection and concentrate on his contributions to Gloucester. Having previously represented England twice under Eddie Jones, Mercer found himself on the fringes of the Australian coach's squad before making a move to Montpellier in the French Top 14 in 2020, rendering him ineligible for selection.

Thriving in the French league, Mercer secured a league title in his debut year and achieved the prestigious title of Top 14 Player of the Year in 2022. Despite the current omission from the national team, Mercer's track record suggests that he could offer a valuable asset to the England setup if given the opportunity.

Coach Borthwick has disclosed that he and his coaching team have communicated specific areas of improvement to the Bristol Bears' tighthead prop for a potential squad return. However, speculation arises about whether there are additional factors contributing to his exclusion.

Adding to the intrigue, Sinckler is strongly linked to a move to the Top 14 for the 2024/25 season, posing as a possible explanation for his current omission. There are reports suggesting a recent journey to France, with indications of a medical examination at Toulon.

While the performances of Will Stuart and Dan Cole in round one and two may not have been exceptional, the question lingers: on his best days, Sinckler remains the premier English tighthead. If England is serious about making a substantial impact in the 2024 Six Nations, Sinckler's prowess could be pivotal.