Manu Tuilagi - A Big Man

I watch Rugby Union and Rugby League on TV and enjoy it very much. But I can't say that I am an expert and I can only remember the names of a few players. Until last week-end I had never heard of Manu Tuilagi but I was impressed with his aggressive performance last Saturday when he turned out for Leicester against Northampton in the Aviva Premiership semi-final derby. His aggression got somewhat out-of-hand when he laid into Northampton and England winger Chris Ashton by throwing three punches to the head, which left Ashton needing stitches to a wound above his left eye. Chris Hewett in The Independent says that the punches were, in the world of rugby, no worse than nicking the beer money. Nevertheless, the incident was caught on camera from three angles and though we were impressed, Tuilagi will appear before the RFU disciplinary committee. He seems sure to be banned - probably for 3 months. Chris Ashton is making light of the incident; worse things happen on a rugby field, where you expect to get knocked about a bit - even if not quite in this manner.
There has been a lot written about Manu Tuilagi in recent days; certainly, he has raised his profile, somewhat. He was born in Samoa, where five of his elder brothers played rugby. Some played in England as well as representing their national side. In reading the write-ups, what has staggered me is Manu's age. He is 20 years old today. He is a mountain of a man weighing 17 stones. Some of his brothers still live in England and there is an established family connection with Leicester. Manu came to England on a visitors visa and out-stayed that by a couple of years. In 2010 he was threatened with deportation but an organised campaign got him permission to stay. He has now sorted out all the paperwork and can stay indefinitely and play for England. Clearly, the family have extremely powerful genetics for making rugby players. If Manu had been an out and out hardcore bodybuilder it is doubtful if he could have built a more solid mature, muscular physique than this. But I suppose if he had been a bodybuilder, he would have grown huge because his genetics are awesome and genetics will beat everything. He must be a glorious prospect for an international career. I certainly wouldn't like to collide with him on a rugby field and, if last week-end is anything to go by, I wouldn't like to upset him either.
/