Former England center Manu Tuilagi has issued a new explanation regarding the growing rumor of a potential international return with Samoa at the Rugby World Cup 2027. The potent midfielder, who earned 60 Test caps for England, will be eligible to turn out for the country of his birth once World Rugby’s mandatory three-year nationality stand-down period is complete.
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Tuilagi’s last arrival in an England jersey came during the 2023 Rugby World Cup bronze-medal playoff. Where Steve Borthwick’s side edged past Argentina in a tense 26–23 victory to take third place. Shortly after the event, the 34-year-old officially exited the England setup at the end of the 2023/24 season. Bringing an end to his long memory with Sharks before starting a new chapter in France’s Top 14.
While his international career with England now appears to be behind him. Tuilagi has shown no signs of slowing down at the club level. Since joining Aviron Bayonnais, the dynamic center has enjoyed a revitalized spell of form. Producing some of his most consistent rugby in recent seasons.
His impressive performances throughout the 2024/25 campaign earned him a spot in the Top 14 Team of the Season, reigniting discussion over a potential late-career switch of national allegiance. The debate is naturally intensified by Tuilagi’s family legacy. Several of his brothers, Henry, Freddie, Alesana, Anitelea, and Sanale Vavae have all previously represented Samoa on the international stage.
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Manu Tuilagi Breaks Silence on Samoa Rugby World Cup Speculation
With Samoa now plotting its route toward the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia, many have questioned whether Manu may yet follow in their footsteps. Speaking at the EPCR Investec Champions Cup season launch while representing Bayonne, Tuilagi responded directly to the rumors that have circulated online. He loomed the subject with humor, joking about how the story originally took hold.
I did see that. The quote that I never said, he laughed. I was wondering who actually wrote it, because when Samoa qualified, it suddenly went mad on social media. For me, it’s still a long way off, and I honestly don’t know if I’ll even be able to play that far into the future. Tuilagi was also keen to stress the difference between sentimental interest and genuine competitive readiness.
There’s a big difference between liking the idea and actually being able to compete. This is a Rugby World Cup we’re talking about, not a club fixture. If you go, you have to go with the aim of competing properly, not just turning up for the experience. Whether the former England star will finally wear the blue of Samoa remains unclear, but recent years have seen a rising trend of Pacific Island nations benefiting from aptness switches.
Samoa in particular has already welcomed several high-profile arrivals, including former All Blacks fly-half Lima Sopoaga, ex-Wallabies playmaker Christian Leal’i’fano, and former England squad member Jacob Umaga, all of whom have bolstered the depth of Tusi Pisi’s group. Despite the rumor, Tuilagi stated that he has not yet been loomed by Samoan officials and has not held any debates about a likely recall.
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Rugby World Cup Final: Tuilagi Reflects on Homecoming as World Cup 2027 Nears
Speaking to RUCK, he explained that his recent focus has largely been on revisiting familiar surroundings rather than planning any international future. The center revealed that he had spent time back at Twickenham during the Autumn Nations Series and had been training at the Lensbury Resort in Teddington, a venue regularly used by England squads and their opponents.
Reflecting on his visit, Tuilagi spoke warmly about returning to a place filled with both nostalgia and professional memories. There are some good and bad memories at the Lensbury, he said. Good ones from pre-season work on those pitches, and tough ones too. But it’s always nice to come back and see everyone again. It brings a lot back.
He also admitted to being impressed by what he saw from England during the recent internationals, particularly in the fixtures against Fiji and New Zealand. Tuilagi highlighted the growing competition within the squad and the depth that head coach Steve Borthwick is working hard to establish. I went to a couple of the games, the Fiji match and the New Zealand one, and I was really impressed, he said.
You can see what Steve is trying to build with squad depth. That’s something England has probably struggled with at times, but now in almost every position, especially in the centers, real competition and quality are coming through. As things stand, Manu Tuilagi’s immediate future remains firmly in France, but with the Rugby World Cup Final 2027 now clearly within reach.
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