MANU TUILAGI IS set to make his first England appearance since June 2014 in Saturday’s crunch Six Nations clash with Wales.

Fit-again Tuilagi, 24, has been named on the bench by coach Eddie Jones who fields an unchanged starting XV for the likely Championship decider.

“Manu Tuilagi’s selection to the match day squad is based more on potential than his recent performances in the Premiership,” Jones said. “He has trained well this week and I am pleased with what I’ve seen.”

Tuilagi was sidelined with a long-term groin injury and then suffered a setback with a hamstring strain shortly after returning to action in January.

While injured, the big centre was convicted on three counts of assault and on one count of causing criminal damage, and was told that he would not be considered for England’s World Cup campaign.

Luke Cowan-Dickie replaces injured hooker Jamie George on the bench, while Kieran Brookes gets the nod over Paul Hill at prop.

England v Wales (Satuday, 4pm)

15. Mike Brown
14. Anthony Watson
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Owen Farrell
11. Jack Nowell
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs

1. Joe Marler
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Dan Cole
4. Maro Itoje
5. George Kruis
6. Chris Robshaw
7. James Haskell
8. Billy Vunipola

Replacements:

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Kieran Brookes
19. Joe Launchbury
20. Jack Clifford
21. Danny Care
22. Manu Tuilagi
23. Elliot Daly

The42 Six Nations Show / SoundCloud

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