Aviva Premiership
England rocked by Tuilagi blow with centre ruled out of World Cup
Tom Hamilton
May 15, 2015
Manu Tuilagi looks on during England's clash with New Zealand in Hamilton
Manu Tuilagi looks on during England's clash with New Zealand in Hamilton© Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images

Manu Tuilagi will miss the Rugby World Cup after pleading guilty to assault.

Tuilagi appeared in Leicester Magistrates Court earlier this week and pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating, two counts of assaulting a police officer and one of criminal damage. As a result, Stuart Lancaster will not pick the Leicester centre in the World Cup squad. Tuilagi was ordered to pay the court a total of £6,205 ($A 12,000) in fines, compensation, charges and costs.

The news will rock the England set-up with just 126 days until the start of the sport's biggest tournament. On home soil, England would have wanted a fully fit and firing Tuilagi at the heart of their back division, but he will now be absent and not considered for selection until January. England have had to cope without Tuilagi this season as he has been suffering from a groin injury.

"As role models and ambassadors for the game, the highest standards of behaviour are expected from every England player both on and off the field," said Lancaster. "Having spoken to Manu, he understands and accepts both the seriousness of the offences to which he has pleaded guilty and the consequences of his behaviour to his club, country and the game as a whole.

"England will continue to liaise with Leicester Tigers and have every confidence that the club will continue to support Manu in the right way."

Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: "Manu knows and accepts his responsibilities and has received a significant punishment in being excluded from the England squad and the club will also take internal disciplinary action. While we do not in any way condone his actions in this case, Manu is a young man who has grown up in the public eye and he is a good professional in a top-level environment.

"He always gives his time very generously to supporters, particularly young ones, wherever he goes, and fully understands the role that the fans have played in his career. We will continue to work closely with him on his return to full fitness and look forward to his return to the field in due course."

Manu Tuilagi said: "I take full responsibility for my actions and unreservedly apologise to all those involved in the incident, Leicester Tigers and England. It is something I deeply regret and I totally accept the sentence given by the court. The club and Stuart have been very supportive and I understand their sanctions too. I know, as an England player, the need to conduct myself as a good role model for the game. I am very disappointed because my actions have let so many people down and I can only hope for a future chance to prove myself again."

This is not the first time Tuilagi has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons. He was warned by police and fined £3,000 after jumping off a ferry in Auckland in the aftermath of England's poor 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign.

© Tom Hamilton

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