Manu Tuilagi now odds on to make the British & Irish Lions squad
Yesterday at 10:13 AM
Manu Tuilagi’s resurgence in the Top 14 with Bayonne has put him firmly in the mix for a spot on the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour. The powerhouse centre has been rolling back the years in France, delivering the kind of performances that once made him one of the most feared midfielders in world rugby.
And it's not just the fans who have taken notice. French rugby bible Midi Olympique had its doubts when Bayonne signed Tuilagi, questioning whether they were getting the unstoppable wrecking ball of the 2010s or the injury-hit version that faded into the background in his final Premiership seasons.
"Which Tuilagi are they getting?"
"When Bayonne signed Tuilagi, there were as many questions as there was fanfare," Midi Olympique wrote earlier this year. "Which player had the Basques just recruited? The star of the 2010s, the English midfield bomb who made centres tremble the world over? Or the more discreet, often injured player who went through the last few Premiership campaigns with a certain anonymity."
After just six matches, the newspaper had its answer:
"Bayonne had landed on the former – and they were right to."
Chasing his career-best season
After missing the start of the season through injury, Tuilagi has defied expectations by featuring regularly for Bayonne. The 33-year-old has strung together 15 straight league appearances, making 16 outings in total—his most consistent run in years.
To put his current form into perspective, the most club matches he ever managed in a single season, excluding the Premiership Rugby Cup, was 21 for Leicester back in 2012/13. That was the year the Tigers lifted the English title, and Tuilagi tore it up on a triumphant Lions tour.
If Bayonne go deep in the play-offs, he could even come close to matching his career-high 33 games from that same 2012/13 season, when he also starred for England and the Lions.
The signs are clear: a fully fit, in-form Tuilagi is a problem for any defence. And if he keeps this up, don't be surprised to see him back in a red jersey next summer.
Alun Wyn Jones and Owen Farrell included on list of worst British & Irish Lions
The British & Irish Lions is the pinnacle of a player’s career – a chance to prove yourself against the very best. But not everyone rises to the occasion.
While some have cemented their legacies in red jerseys, others have left fans wondering how they even made the squad.
From unfortunate injuries to underwhelming performances, we take a look at some of the worst Lions players across different tours, with big names like Owen Farrell and Alun Wyn Jones making the cut.
2021 tour: Owen Farrell – The forgotten playmaker
Owen Farrell, one of the most recognisable and influential players in modern rugby, endured a tour to forget in South Africa. Despite his vast experience and reputation as a leader, Farrell was named by SA Rugby Mag as the worst-performing Lion on the tour.
Initially expected to play a key role, he started three games and featured off the bench in the first two Tests.
However, as the series decider loomed, head coach Warren Gatland made a brutal call – dropping Farrell from the matchday 23 entirely. It was a stark fall from grace for a player who was once considered indispensable.
WIN A TRIP TO THE 2025 LIONS:
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES
- 2 x Return flight tickets from the UK to Australia
- 2 x Tickets to watch the 2nd Test in Melbourne
- 2 x Tickets to watch the 3rd Test in Sydney
- 4 x Night's accommodation in Melbourne with bed & breakfast (24-27 July)
- 7 x Night's accommodation in Sydney with bed & breakfast (28 July-3 Aug)
- 2 x Flight tickets Melbourne to Sydney including airport hotel group transfers
- 2 x Tickets to watch a private function with Lions legends
- Additional events to be announced
The winner will be part of the Lions supporters group with tour representatives on hand to oversee everything.
CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO
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