Manu Tuilagi’s nephew gets France call ahead of Six Nations opener against Ireland

Posolo Tuilagi has been called up for the Ireland Test despite not holding a French passport – Valentine Chapuis/Getty Images

Manu Tuilagi’s teenage nephew Posolo Tuilagi has been called up by France ahead of their Six Nations opener against Ireland on Friday.

Tuilagi, 19, is the son of Henry Tuilagi, the former Leicester, Perpignan and Samoa back row, and also the nephew of Samoa internationals Alesana, Anitalea and Sanele Vavae Tuilagi.

The latest member of the Tuilagi family to reach the top of the sport was born in Samoa but qualifies for France through residency, having arrived in Perpignan when he was three years old. He has previously represented France’s under-18 and under-20 sides, winning the World Rugby Under-20 Championships last year.

An imposing ball-carrier at 6ft 4in and weighing over 23 stone, Tuilagi has made 14 appearances for Perpignan so far this season, scoring one try in the Top 14 against Pau.

Jean-Marc Lhermet, the vice president of the French Rugby Federation, addressed reports earlier this month regarding Tuilagi’s eligibility to represent France, clarifying with Midi Olympique why Tuilagi could turn out for Les Bleus despite not having a French passport. Former FFR president Bernard Laporte previously introduced the rule that players for France must have a French passport, but it has since been removed.

“There’s nothing stopping Fabien Galthié from selecting him,” Lhermet said. “There is no law on this subject. It was simply one man’s [Laporte] decision, which was not even validated by the committee. To be very clear, it was thought to have been, but it wasn’t. As a result, there was no obligation for us to continue in this direction. Only World Rugby’s eligibility rules come into play, from there [Tuilagi] is fully selectable.”

Tuilagi becomes the latest lock to be called up by France after Paul Willemse replaced Emmanuel Meafou in the squad last week following Meafou’s injury against Bath in the Champions Cup. France have also called up Stade Français full-back Léo Barré to replace the injured Melvyn Jaminet.

%n

Discover Telegraph Wine Cellar’s new wine club. Enjoy expertly chosen bottles at exclusive member prices. Plus, free delivery on every order.