Manu Tuilagi – England’s Obi Wan Kenobi?

Help me Tuilagi – you’re my only hope.

40 seconds into the World Cup warm-up match between England v Ireland in 2019, Manu Tuilagi already had the ball in his hands. England went long at the lineout and sent the centre crashing into Josh Van Der Flier to start an electric English attack that would set the tone for the afternoon’s proceedings. The final scoreline read 57-15, Tuilagi’s beaming smile after his 35th-minute score an unpleasant reminder of a time not too long ago when winning came ease. During this year’s Six Nations, seldom an England player nor fan has traipsed out of Twickenham without dragging their knuckles.

On that bright August afternoon Tuilagi was still the go-to man, the player that had to be picked, no questions asked, when fit. He built a sensational partnership that year with Owen Farrell on his inside and Henry Slade on his outside, one that will resurrect itself for the first time since the 2019 World Cup quarter-finals this weekend in Dublin. The question remains – can it resuscitate a sorry England side looking bereft of motivation and inspiration with ball in hand?

Perhaps even the sight of this trio back together could plant the slightest thought in the minds of the Grand Slam hopefuls. They are gunning to secure Ireland’s first Grand Slam at home in their history; is there any chance those familiar foes and the lofty occasion may seep into their minds?

The elder statesman Johnny Sexton, having himself spoiled a few England parties himself over the years, is well aware that their starting XV is, at least in theory, still packed with quality. Highlighting French moments of brilliance rather than English deficiencies in their hammering last week, he says Ireland must stay wary.

There are lies, damned lies and statistics, but it’s worth mentioning that Tuilagi has played Ireland six times and never lost. Of course, he’s been absent through injury for a host of England’s losses against the Irish since 2012, but perhaps there’s something in it. Going through his statistics and there’s not much to shout about – he was England’s equal-biggest carrier in their most recent victory in 2020 (10) – but as is so often true with Tuilagi it’s the times when he doesn’t get the ball but rather creates space for others that he is so effective.

On two occasions in the 20-32 win in Dublin in 2019 England score after the ball flies past Tuilagi into space. One saw Jonny May cross in the corner inside two minutes, the second ending with Henry Slade’s first of two.

Given the three-year distance from that point to now this may come as little comfort ahead of Saturday. Yet, at the same time, England’s eternal midfield problem has never felt closer to being solved, to finally being balanced than with Slade and Tuilagi in place.

Tuilagi may be England’s Ben Kenobi, the nation’s only hope. This Six Nations marks the first ever he’s been fit and not picked, missing out on a space in the first two fixtures and being sidelined after a red card ‘for reckless or dangerous play’ against Northampton. After this and his recent red card v Northampton, he has a lot to prove.

There’s a sense that England have little to lose this weekend. Falling to the world’s best team away from home when they have everything to play for would hardly be a surprise.

Yet there is something significant to gain, and that is clarity on England’s direction for the next few years. This weekend could elucidate one thing: is this partnership lost to the annuls of time, or is there something still there?

Sentimentality and nostalgia will not be enough to overturn Ireland. The trio will have to perform. May the force be with them.