Manu Tuilagi believes England’s World Cup quest will benefit from the varied mix of cultures in Eddie Jones’ squad.
Samoan-born Tuilagi is one of numerous players with overseas heritage that are currently seeking to replicate the heroics of Martin Johnson’s 2003 Webb Ellis Trophy winners by sweeping all before them.
Also represented to varying levels are Fiji, Nigeria, Tonga and the USA, while the history of Lewis Ludlam is a mixture of Egyptian, Palestinian and Guyanese.
“I definitely think it helps. There is a whole great deal of different backgrounds in the team,” Tuilagi stated.
“The most important thing is you have to be part of the team, but where you come from aids because it attracts all your expertise from the own culture.
“There’s definitely a feeling in the team it isn’t important where you’re from. We’re all here for the same reason and we want to attain the goal.
“For me personally it should not be something different to everywhere else, if that is game or out of sport. As long as you have exactly the same purpose, it does not matter.
“It’s a team sport and as long as everybody does their job, you can do your own work and your mate does his job, then everything comes together”
Tuilagi has overcome decades of major injury setbacks and difficulties to make his first appearance.
“I did not think I would be here in this position again. It’s a huge step concerning trying to get back and play well,” Tuilagi said.
“Twenty-eleven feels just like a longlong time ago regarding rugby. I’ve been out so I’m just grateful that I’m still enjoying.
“Between 2011 and the one there have been a lot of dark times. To be able to go out and train do exactly what I love about the weekend would be the thing for me.
“What is so exciting is to be around the players that we’ve got. There is something special in this number of players and I’m eager to see where we can take this.”
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