Rugby
Tom Hamilton, Senior Writer 5y

Six Nations: England won't be distracted by Manu Tuilagi's future, says Eddie Jones

Rugby, Six Nations

The ongoing uncertainty over Manu Tuilagi's future will not distract England from Saturday's Six Nations clash against Wales, but it has not saved him from jokes being made at his expense.

Tuilagi is understood to be weighing up a switch to Racing 92 ahead of next season. Leicester Tigers are keen to keep their powerhouse centre, but Tuilagi has visited the Top 14 side and is tempted by a switch to France with a lucrative, three-year deal on the table believed to be worth in the region of £2 million.

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If Tuilagi decides to take up the offer from the Top 14 side, it would see him become ineligible for national duty from next season as England will not pick those players based overseas. But the timing of the deal and contract means he will still be available to play for England in this year's Rugby World Cup even if he agrees to a switch to France.

Jones would not be drawn on the implications over Tuilagi's decision, but said: "As long as he doesn't get on the Eurostar between now and Saturday I've got no comment on it because all I'm worried about is Saturday."

Tuilagi starts at inside centre for England against Wales on Saturday and will be looked on as a key figure to give Jones' side the front-foot in Cardiff. He is experiencing a rich vein of form having endured four injury-disrupted years.

The topic of Tuilagi's future is dominating the rugby agenda and when asked further about whether Tuilagi's decision will impact the team's morale, Jones said: "We just have fun about it [Manu's future]. Give him baguettes, croissants, wear berets. Good fun.

"He's got to make a decision and what decision he makes will be up to him. He is a massively important part of our team. The guys like playing with him, they love him. He loves playing with the team and that is his only concern at the moment."

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