His men have been dropping at a rate of one a week since the start of the season. Tom Croft and Brad Barritt were the first, and in each case the enforced absence has put off a tough choice between those already in Lancaster’s favour.
But the squad, especially with Barritt’s disappearance for the rest of 2013 after a foot operation, is especially light on centres. The coach’s preferred pairing from last season of Tuilagi and Barritt will not be available to him until the Six Nations in the new year.
For Tuilagi, 22, this is much more serious than the temporary embarrassment caused by his “bunny ears†gesture behind the Prime Minister’s head at a Lions Downing Street function, as infantile as that was.
Like Croft against Worcester a fortnight earlier, he ended Leicester’s game against Newcastle last Saturday unaware of anything serious. Now, he finds he has a torn chest muscle that will take a minimum of six weeks’ recovery and may need surgery.
“It is weeks leading into months rather than days,†said Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill yesterday.
“It is very frustrating for him, and us, having had an enforced lay-off after the Lions tour. He was back raring to go and you could see that from the form he was in last weekend.
“If the tear is serious, he will need surgery. If it is not, it will heal on its own over a shorter period. We will probably get him fit and then he will go and play in the Six Nations.
Manu Tuilagi adds to England injury woes
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