England boost as Manu Tuilagi returns with Leicester

Manu Tuilagi will make his Leicester comeback today before reinforcing England’s push for the RBS 6 Nations title.

Tuilagi has recovered from the hamstring strain that has forced him to miss the Tigers’ last three games and starts the Aviva Premiership clash with Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop knowing Eddie Jones will be watching from the stands.

Tuilagi won’t be ready for next week’s clash with Ireland but Jones is hoping to involve him against Wales on March 12, although Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill has expressed misgivings over such a rapid return to international rugby.

Having recovered from a groin injury that sidelined him for 15 months, Tuilagi then damaged his hamstring three games into his comeback last month.

“Manu hasn’t played enough rugby at club level, never mind Test level. If Eddie decides to pick him because he is playing well enough then so be it,” Cockerill said.

If Tuilagi - who starts at inside centre - comes through unscathed against Quins and then London Irish nine days later, he is likely to be summoned into England’s training camp ahead of the visit of Wales to Twickenham.

Meanwhile, Welsh front-row warrior Gethin Jenkins says he retains a “driving hunger” to be in the heat of battle for Wales, despite finding himself playing an unfamiliar bench support role during this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Scarlets loosehead prop Rob Evans commanded rave reviews following strong displays against Ireland and Scotland, when Wales’ set-piece game thrived.

It has meant Jenkins providing back-up, rather than starting, yet he remains an integral part of Wales’ matchday 23.

“It has been different from what I’ve been used to over the past couple of years, but I’ve enjoyed it,” he said.