Aviva Premiership
Cockerill: Tuilagi going nowhere
ESPNscrum Staff
September 26, 2011
England's Manu Tuilagi crosses for a score of his own, England v Romania, Rugby World Cup, Otago Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand, September 24, 2011
England's Manu Tuilagi has established himself as one of the most exciting young centres in world rugby © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Players/Officials: Alesana Tuilagi | Manu Tuilagi
Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup | Aviva Premiership

Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill has insisted that midfield ace Manu Tuilagi will not be leaving Welford Road before the end of his contract.

Tuilagi is currently starring for England in New Zealand and his brother and agent, Fereti, claimed on Monday that his siblings, Manu and Alesana, would both be open to trying their luck in Super Rugby.

Indeed, Fereti claimed that a number of clubs have already expressed an interest in the pair. However, Cockerill is adamant that Manu will not be walking out on his existing deal with the Tigers.

"I wouldn't be surprised by any interest shown in Manu," the Tigers chief is quoted as saying by The Telegraph. "I'd be shocked if people were not interested in him. Teams have shown an interest in Sonny Bill Williams and Ma'a Nonu, so why wouldn't they want someone of Manu's quality? He's a fine young player.

"But he's got a three-year contract with us and will be here, at least, for the remainder of this season and for two more after that. He's not going anywhere."

Cockerill also queried the veracity of Fereti's claim that Manu would be interested in moving to Australia or New Zealand given that the centre has only just broken into the England set-up.

"After all that has gone on around Manu in terms of him fighting to earn the right to qualify for England and to avoid deportation back to Samoa, it seems slightly odd that he would want to leave now," he said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices