England boss Eddie Jones calls up controversial Manu Tuilagi

Manu Tuilagi has been added to England’s training squad for their RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales.

Tuilagi has been included in a group of 33 players who have assembled in Bath to begin preparations for the title showdown against Warren Gatland’s men at Twickenham on March 12.

Tuilagi has not played for England since June 2014 and sat out the World Cup through a combination of injury and suspension.

It is the Leicester centre’s first appearance in an England squad since the 2014 summer to New Zealand after a serious groin injury sidelined him for 15 months.

Exeter back row Dave Ewers also makes his first appearance in Eddie Jones’ Six Nations squad after completing his recovery from a knee problem.

The imminent end of 24-year-old Tuilagi’s absence from international rugby is cause for genuine excitement as England have sorely missed their most explosive backline ball-carrier.

Having finally made his comeback from his long-standing groin issue in January, Tuilagi then suffered a hamstring strain that forced him to sit out a further three games for Leicester.

In his absence, Owen Farrell and Jonathan Joseph have formed England’s centre partnership and are likely to continue working in tandem for the remaining two rounds of the Championship against Wales and France.

Jones has suggested, however, that Tuilagi may be in line for a role from the bench on a weekend that could see the Red Rose snatch Ireland’s crown.

“There’s always time. He’s a good enough player. He’s a good enough player to come into the squad. That is the first thing,” Jones said.

“I went and watched him play against Harlequins two weeks ago and he looked in pretty good nick.

“He probably only has got 20 minutes of Test rugby in him at the moment but that 20 minutes could be pretty good.

“If Manu comes in and makes a dash, he is going to have a chance of getting into the 23.”

Meanwhile, John Hardie admits a weight has been lifted from Scotland’s shoulders after claiming their first RBS 6 Nations victory in two years.

And now the Edinburgh flanker is targeting two more wins to ensure Vern Cotter’s men finish this year’s Championship on a high.

“Now that the pressure is off a bit, we can really express ourselves in our last two games against France and Ireland.

“I think we can now look to end on a couple of really good wins. We’re good enough to win these next two games and really push on. If we do I’ll be really happy with how we are progressing.”