Investec Champions Cup: Manu Tuilagi has a 'few more years in him' says Alex Sanderson
- Published
Manu Tuilagi last played for Sale Sharks in their Premiership final defeat by Saracens in May
Investec Champions Cup: Pool 4- Sale v Stade Francais |
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Venue: AJ Bell Dates: Sunday, 10 December Kick-off: 13:00 BST |
Coverage: Score updates and match report on the BBC Sport website |
Manu Tuilagi has got a "few more years in him", says head coach Alex Sanderson as Sale Sharks prepare for their opening Investec Champions Cup match.
The England centre starts against Stade Francais on Sunday and is now fully recovered after breaking a hand during the Rugby World Cup.
Tuilagi, 32, is aiming to secure another one-year contract extension.
"There is an energy out there about him which suggests he has got a few more years," Sanderson told BBC Sport.
"He has missed a few through injury so it is probably like shelf life in terms of how many games have you played across those 10 or 12 years which is not as many as most.
"He knows his body better and certainly looks after his body better than he did. He is managed well and happy here."
Tuilagi, who made his Premiership debut for Leicester Tigers in 2010, started every game of England's run to a third-place finish in France other than their 71-0 victory over Chile.
He made his England debut in 2011 but has only amassed 59 caps because of frequent injuries.
"We had a conversation, which is no secret, about two and a half years ago when he was going through his Achilles and hamstring problems," Sanderson recalled.
"We walked up Shutlingsloe hill, which is the highest point around Manchester, [and talked] around what is it going to be like and where can we get you to.
"We decided the aim was to get him playing his best rugby during that last World Cup, which we probably did, certainly in his time here.
"We came into contract negotiations as it was coming up and he was like 'Al, just one more year'. I was like, 'We haven't got it in the [salary] cap, but I will see what we can do.'
"As things transpired, people went back to South Africa and then it became apparent that we could keep him for one more year. Now we are talking about one more year again. I don't think he is going anywhere fast."
When the Sale head coach asked Tuilagi about potentially retiring from international rugby, his response was that he would stop when his "legs aren't working any more".
'It is the best club rugby competition in the world'
Alongside Stade Francais, Sale will also face last season's two finalists Leinster and La Rochelle in their pool, with a trip to South Africa to face 2022 United Rugby Championship winners DHL Stormers coming up in January.
Sale, who are top of the Premiership, failed to get out of their pool last season after back-to-back quarter-finals in their two previous campaigns.
"We have been described as the whipping boys of this group haven't we? Which we wouldn't have any other way," Sanderson added.
"For a while since we have been labelled and used the tool of being the underdogs as motivation. We probably are against all the teams so we will lean into that.
"It is the best club rugby competition in the world at the best stadium with the biggest crowds - what is not to love?
"It is one of those things that gets my heart pumping and takes a really good shift and focus from the Premiership."