Aviva Premiership
England dealt Manu Tuilagi hamstring blow ahead of Six Nations
PA Sport
January 29, 2016

Manu Tuilagi will miss Leicester's Aviva Premiership clash against Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday after suffering a hamstring injury. 

And it could impact on England head coach Eddie Jones' hopes of seeing the Tigers centre available for the latter part of this season's Six Nations.

Tuilagi began his comeback three weeks ago from a serious groin problem that meant he was sidelined for 15 months.

He featured as a second-half substitute against Premiership opponents Northampton at Welford Road on January 9, before starting successive European Champions Cup appointments with Treviso and Stade Francais.

© Clive Mason/Getty Images

But Leicester rugby director Richard Cockerill said on Friday: "Manu has just tweaked a hamstring which will probably mean a couple of weeks out.

"He has done well since his return from a long-term injury, and we are looking after him.

"We've got guys like Mat Tait and Matt Smith, who have been in good form this season, so we have options in the back line."

It is thought that Jones had identified England's Twickenham clash against Wales on March 12 as a possible Test match return for Tuilagi.

The 24-year-old has not played for England since June 2014, but he is a proven quality international performer who Jones will be keen to get involved as soon as possible.

Jones looks set to start with Owen Farrell and Jonathan Joseph in midfield for England's opening Six Nations encounter against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 6, with Ollie Devoto providing bench cover.

© PA Sport

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