Manu Tuilagi"s "disrespectful" bunny-ears gesture behind Prime Minister splits ...

Lawrence Dallaglio has urged Manu Tuilagi to stop larking about and start letting his rugby do the talking.

Dallaglio joined fellow World Cup winner Matt Dawson in criticising the British and Irish Lions centre for giving Prime Minister David Cameron “bunny ears” during a Downing Street photocall.

The incident comes two years after the Samoan-born Leicester star jumped off a ferry after stripping to his ­underpants while on England duty at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

Dallaglio said: “Given what happened at the last World Cup, I rather think Manu could do with keeping himself out of trouble.

“With a disciplinary record on and off the field which isn’t a blank sheet of paper, (if I was him) I’d be doing my best to.

“I don’t think any action needs to be taken but a letter of apology to the PM is in order. Players have a duty and a responsibility to ­maintain an immaculate disciplinary record because little things add up.”

Mirror rugby columnist Dawson tweeted: “My view on Tuilagi/PM. I’m utterly embarrassed. When will some learn, there’s a time and a place.

“Respect is paramount. Pls explain why doing bunny ears is funny on any photo. All it shows is the bunny is more famous than u and u want the limelight #insecure.”

However, while labelling Tuilagi a “prat” who needs to grow up, former England hooker Brian Moore rubbished suggestions the stunt caused any offence.

He said: “People are saying they are offended. Are they really offended, or is it more a case of [Tuilagi] being an absolute prat again and taking the attention away from his team-mates?

“Manu ought to understand that sort of juvenile, attention-seeking behaviour should be reserved for where it is more appropriate, which is Prime Minister’s Question Time!”

Moore added on talkSPORT: “The authorities, I’m sure, will do what they should do and say, ‘Manu, everyone thinks you are a two-year old, do you really want that? Now, go away and grow up, please.’”

Rugby Football Union boss Ian Ritchie also stopped well short of condemning the 22-year-old, saying he didn’t think he had let the game down.

“Manu apologised, as I understand it,” added the Union’s chief executive. “It’s one of those spur-of-the-moment situations I’m sure he looks back on and regrets.

“It’s not a matter, clearly, that we’re going to do anything about on a disciplinary front, and as I understand it most of the responses have been taken in the same vein.

“None of us would particularly say, ‘That was a good idea’, but let’s move on.”

In fairness to Tuilagi, neither Dallaglio nor Dawson were whiter than white during their playing careers.

Both though delivered when it mattered – winning Grand Slams, a World Cup and a Lions series.

Tuilagi has been ordered by Leicester to write a letter of apology to No.10 – but told by the Rugby Football Union that he faces no ­disciplinary action.

Tigers boss Richard Cockerill described his Tuilagi’s actions “a bit daft”, adding: “He’s made an error of judgement. He should know better.”

Lawrence Dallaglio is an ambassador for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, which kicks off in England two years from Wednesday.

Manu Tuilagi"s "disrespectful" bunny-ears gesture behind Prime Minister splits ...