Manu Tuilagi set to end England exile after being named in matchday squad for Wales

Manu Tuilagi is destined to make his first England appearance since June 2014, as an impact replacement against Wales at Twickenham, after being retained in the match-day squad.

Saturday’s pivotal RBS Six Nations encounter – when the title contest will be all but settled – will surely witness the comeback of a centre who has been in enforced Test exile for too long. 

Leicester had hoped that their powerful 24-year-old midfielder would be returned to them on the basis that he is still finding his feet again after such a long absence, but Eddie Jones has chosen to thrust him back into active service for his country at the earliest opportunity.

Tuilagi (right) was called up to Eddie Jones' (left) England squad - after proving his fitness at Leicester

Tuilagi (left) hasn't played for the Red Rose since June 2014 due to groin, hamstring and disciplinary problems

All the latest indications are that England will field an unchanged starting XV against their neighbours at HQ, in which case Tuilagi will be primed to explode off the bench in the second half. Jones sees him as an inside centre who can become a world-class asset with his ability to crash through the gainline and release team-mates in support.

In time, the Australian head coach wants to develop the tear-away Tiger into an English answer to the All Blacks’ double World Cup-winning centre icon, Ma’a Nonu. He evolved from a being a crash-ball weapon of mass destruction into a multi-talented back with a broad repertoire and that is Jones’ vision for Tuilagi.

But for now – when, rather than if, he is unleashed – he will simply be charged with doing what he does best; carrying into contact and breaking tackles. Wales will come to Twickenham armed with an outstanding defence marshalled by Shaun Edwards and the home side will hope that their returning reserve can eventually take some of the load off Billy Vunipola in the quest to create holes and scoring chances.

England players were put through their paces as they prepare for this weekend's visit of Wales

England fly-half George Ford works on his kicking from hand during the training session at Pennyhill Park

There is a tangible sense of excitement within the England ranks about having Tuilagi back on board. Even the most experienced players in Jones’ squad are well aware that he is a rare force of nature. ‘Manu is a pretty special player,’ said James Haskell. 

‘I don’t often look at people and go, “I wish I had some of his genes”. He’s pace, power and strength personified. I think that if he is involved now, he will have an impact; he always does.

‘He is so devastating. I have seen him play and played with him against some of the best teams in the world and he causes everybody trouble. Whatever he does, he is a threat and is a very special player. I think if he performs well, he is deadly. Even if he has a bad day, someone will still get taken down or he is still going to run through someone. Very few players have the ability to do that.’

Wales are on a state of high alert about the danger posed by Tuilagi, especially when he is determined to make up for lost time. However, they are also aware that he is short of game-time, having had his comeback from a long-term groin injury disrupted by a brief hamstring setback. 

Asked what role he expected the Samoa-born centre to play, Warren Gatland said: ‘Rob Howley and I had quite a debate about that last night.

Billy Vunipola (right) has been a colossal figure for England at No 8 during this year's Six Nations so far

Elliot Daly will be hoping to add to his one international appearance after making his debut against Ireland

‘In England’s shoes, would we bring back Manu? You’d like to, but the timing’s not right. And if you are playing Manu at 12, who would you play at 10? We debated that and didn’t really come up with the answer. Maybe he’s a player for the bench at the moment. The (England) team has performed so well, so it’s a difficult decision for Eddie to bring Manu back.’

England have retained 24 players to continue preparing to face Wales, with Tuilagi’s recall coming at the expense of Alex Goode, rather than Wasps centre Elliot Daly, who will be among the supporting cast on the bench again after his debut against Ireland. There, he will be joined by Northampton prop Kieran Brookes – reinstated as the back-up tighthead ahead of club colleague Paul Hill – and Joe Launchbury, in place of the injured Courtney Lawes.

At this stage, it appears that Saracens prodigy Maro Itoje is on course to stay in the starting line-up, despite Launchbury’s recovery from a hamstring strain. Likewise, Ben Youngs is expected to continue at scrum-half, with Danny Care poised to add attacking tempo from the bench after the break. Jones has kept Luke Cowan-Dickie, the Exeter hooker, in camp as cover for Jamie George, who is having medical tests after damaging an arm in training on Tuesday.

Anthony Watson is likely to start on the wing with the Bath back keen to cause the Welsh defence problems

Watson insists England want to 'impose' themselves against Wales when they meet at Twickenham

Jones (centre) is yet to taste defeat during his short reign - having won all three of his Six Nations matches

The England squad engage in a team huddle during Tuesday's training session at their Pennyhill Park base