Six Nations: Richard Cockerill thinks Manu Tuilagi will play in tournament
Tuesday 20 January 2015 20:30, UK
Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill says Manu Tuilagi might be unintentionally exaggerating his injury problems and that he expects the Tigers centre to play some part in the Six Nations Championship.
Tuilagi has been quoted as saying he may miss the entire championship with a troublesome groin injury.
But Cockerill thinks the England midfielder, 23, is over pessimistic and expects him to take some part in the tournament.
The problem has sidelined Tuilagi since October, ruling him out of all the autumn internationals.
Stuart Lancaster's men kick off the tournament against Wales in Cardiff on Friday, February 6 before welcoming Italy to Twickenham the following Saturday and Cockerill believes Tuilagi could be back for the next game.
"He'll certainly miss the start of the Six Nations, it's getting closer all the time," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"His groin's improving, it's improving slowly. A bit like everything with long-term injuries, players get a bit downbeat on it, sometimes they can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.
"But he is improving and how quickly that turns around we'll have to see. At this point there's every chance he'll play some part. How much? We'll just have to see."
A realistic target for Tuilagi's return to playing could be against Ireland in Dublin on Sunday, March 1.
