In a noteworthy development for rugby enthusiasts, Alex Sanderson, the head coach of Sale Sharks, has conveyed his optimism regarding Manu Tuilagi’s potential to prolong his career in the sport, despite his history of injuries.
After recuperating from a hand injury sustained during the Rugby World Cup, the 32-year-old England centre has been deemed fit to participate in Sale Sharks’ inaugural Investec Champions Cup match against Stade Francais on Sunday. Sanderson has expressed confidence in Tuilagi’s future in the game, stating, “There is an energy out there about him which suggests he has got a few more years.”
Despite his remarkable talent, Tuilagi has encountered setbacks as a result of frequent injuries, which have curtailed his appearances for both club and international matches. Nonetheless, Sanderson’s belief in Tuilagi’s capacity to surmount these challenges emanates from the player’s enhanced self-care and body management. Sanderson remarked, “He knows his body better and certainly looks after his body better than he did. He is managed well and happy here.”
Regarding the prospect of Tuilagi securing another one-year contract extension, Sanderson has divulged insights from their prior discussions, disclosing that the player has expressed a desire to continue his career with Sale Sharks. Sanderson stated, “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.”
Subsequent conversations between Sanderson and Tuilagi have also broached the subject of the player’s potential retirement from international rugby, to which Tuilagi has indicated that he would contemplate stepping back when his “legs aren’t working anymore.”
In addition to Tuilagi’s career prospects, Sale Sharks are gearing up for a challenging Champions Cup journey, with fixtures against formidable opponents such as Leinster, La Rochelle, and DHL Stormers on the horizon. Despite the tough competition, Sanderson is eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches, underscoring the excitement of partaking in “the best club rugby competition in the world at the best stadium with the biggest crowds.”
Embracing the role of underdogs, Sale Sharks are prepared to harness this status as motivation in their pursuit of success in the Investec Champions Cup. Sanderson has conveyed confidence in the team’s ability to rise to the occasion, stating, “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.”
As the team prepares for their highly-anticipated match against Stade Francais, fans await with anticipation the next chapter in Manu Tuilagi’s illustrious career and Sale Sharks’ pursuit of Champions Cup glory.