Six Nations 2022: England's Manu Tuilagi returns from injury

Manu Tuilagi runs with the ballImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Manu Tuilagi's last England appearance was against South Africa in November 2021

Centre Manu Tuilagi is back in the England squad for his side's Six Nations game against Wales.

Tuilagi is in Eddie Jones' latest 25-player list, while prop Joe Marler has been left out as the team prepares for the game on 26 February.

Potential captain Courtney Lawes will also continue his return to play after concussion.

Number eight Sam Simmonds will not train because of a hip issue and Alfie Barbeary has been called up.

The uncapped Wasps back row is included along with London Irish forward Tom Pearson.

After starts in the opening-round defeat by Scotland and Sunday's victory against Italy, lock Nick Isiekwe is left out of the squad.

Fellow second row Jonny Hill is recovering from an injury to his calf bone, while Joe Launchbury is once again in the training group, having made his last England appearance over a year ago because of injury.

Ellis Genge and twice-capped Bevan Rodd are the two loose-head options in the group, with both Marler and Isiekwe available for their clubs, Harlequins and Saracens, at the weekend.

England forwards: Barbeary, Chessum, Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Dombrandt, Ewels, Genge, George, Itoje, Launchbury, Pearson, Rodd, Sinckler, Stuart.

Backs: Daly, Ford, Malins, Marchant, Nowell, Randall, Slade, Smith, Steward, Tuilagi, Youngs.

Wait for Lawes' availability continues

After a disappointing loss to Scotland in their opener, England's bonus-point win in Rome moved them second in the Six Nations table.

With France the only unbeaten side in the tournament, Tuilagi's presence in the midfield could prove vital if they are to challenge for the title.

Tuilagi has impressed for Sale since returning from a torn hamstring, while Lawes - previous favourite to take over the captaincy in Owen Farrell's absence - has been recovering from a concussion sustained while playing for Northampton on 16 January.

"We'd be hopeful that by the end of next week Courtney will be training fully," Jones said on Sunday.

Launchbury has been back in action for Wasps after a knee operation and was briefly called into the England squad before the Italy game, but was then released again.

Jones had also hoped there would be a swift return for Lewis Ludlam after a rib injury, but the flanker is absent from the latest training squad.

Media caption,

Six Nations Magic: Superb tries, brutal hits and funnies from round two

'Power running centre gives different option'

Tuilagi has long been key to England's midfield, with the side struggling to find a replacement for the physicality he offers.

Henry Slade has impressed at inside centre for England, partnering Elliot Daly in the first game and Joe Marchant in the second, but will likely move to 13 if Tuilagi starts.

"Just having a power running centre would give us a different option," Jones added.

"Everything we're doing now is about trying to create opportunities through finesse and that's through good running lines and passing.

"But to have someone who can take you forward quickly, and engage two or three defenders, it then allows you to try to finesse extra space, which would be really useful to us.

"We've had three centres play and I think Sladey has been very good. Joe Marchant and Elliot Daly have had their moments, but we need to get more out of that and we understand that."

Image source, BBC Sport

Last Wales meeting 'was Erasmus video game'

The last time England and Wales met in the Six Nations, the hosts' victory in Cardiff came amid controversy over two early tries from Josh Adams and Liam Williams.

England argued the first had come from a penalty taken too quickly while there were water carriers still on the pitch - and the second had included a Louis Rees-Zammit knock-on in the build-up.

Jones said there was not "anything to learn from bad refereeing", criticising official Pascal Gauzere.

The head coach went on to say Gauzere's performance was worthy of a video critique in the style of the infamous monologue delivered by South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus during the 2021 Lions tour.

Jones said: "To me it was a Rassie Erasmus video game because we got two difficult decisions against us early that were apologised for by World Rugby for being incorrect, but that doesn't get you a result back."

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Six Nations Rugby Special will be on BBC Two from 18:00 GMT on Sunday, 27 February

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