Mike Catt was impressed by Jonathan Joseph’s performance against Italy…
England coach Mike Catt has warned Manu Tuilagi that he may not be an automatic starter when he returns to full fitness, reports the Daily Telegraph.
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Jonathan Josephs has been performing well in the 23-year-old’s favoured outside centre position, and attacking skills coach Catt believes that it will take some big performances from the Samoan born player in order to get back in the side.
It is possible that Josephs or Tuilagi could move on to the wing in order to fit both of them in the starting XV. The former impressed in the position against Scotland, scoring two tries.
“For Manu to get his place back you’re going to have to see some fireworks there,” Mike Catt said. “JJ’s footwork and his ability to slip out of tackles, like you saw against Italy and last week, is phenomenal. That’s the X factor you need to win games, to be able to break defences down.”
Lancaster added that the pair could line up as inside and outside centres, saying “it could be a potent combination.” The next match is against Ireland on 1 March, the winner of that fixture will likely be favourites to lift the Six Nations crown.
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