(Reuters) – England flyhalf Marcus Smith has welcomed the return from damage of centre Manu Tuilagi because the squad prepares for a showdown with Wales at Twickenham on Feb. 26, a match either side want to win to preserve their championship hopes on observe.
Tuilagi was added to the England training squad to bolster the midfield choices for coach Eddie Jones following his return for Sale Sharks on the weekend after a hamstring drawback.
“He’s a superb participant, once I was younger I used to watch him play. I feel I even watched his first attempt at Twickenham, the dummy-switch with Jonny Wilkinson (in opposition to Wales in 2011),” Smith informed reporters on Wednesday.
“We performed a pair of video games collectively within the autumn. It’s sensible to have him again in camp, he is a ball of vitality.
“He’s a superb ball-carrier. But I feel his skillset is undervalued. He can go off each fingers very nicely. All our centres are huge threats on the line and good carriers in their very own proper.”
Smith has been a stand-out performer for England on this Six Nations, and says he’s working carefully with Jones to enhance.
“He has been sensible with me, pushed me and given me good suggestions. Our dialogue has been very open and I’m studying quite a bit off Eddie,” Smith says.
“He is pushing me to get me to the place I would like to get to in my profession and the place he desires to get this crew to.”
England are second within the Six Nations desk, three factors behind leaders France after two rounds. Only 5 factors separate the latter and Wales in fifth.
“It is broad open in the meanwhile,” Smith says. “France are unbeaten, however they’ve some robust video games arising. It is all to play for, and we’re massively excited in regards to the subsequent few weeks and hopefully we are able to put ourselves in the most effective place to win it.”
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
