Manu Tuilagi is the missing link for England according to Leicester, who expect their Anglo-Samoan centre to return from injury later this month and in good time to prepare for the Six Nations. The 23-year-old’s recovery from a groin problem will serve as a Christmas present for club and country. The Tigers and the national team have had cause to lament the absence of the wrecking-ball runner. Tuilagi has not played since suffering his latest setback at the end of October, during a European Champions Cup tie against Ulster. Manu Tuilagi could return in December for Leicester having been out with a groin injury since October
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Manu Tuilagi is set to return for Leicester for first time since October
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His comeback from groin injury is timed perfectly for the Six Nations
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Stuart Lancaster has struggled to settle on an England centre pairing
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Richard Cockerill says England are at their best when Tuilagi is firing
Asked if the @placeholder have been missing their forceful No 13, he added: ‘You’ve got to be able to dent the opposition line.