Ugo Monye backs Manu Tuilagi to wing it for England

The auditions are in full swing but Ugo Monye believes Manu Tuilagi‘s X-factor means he should line up on the wing for England in New Zealand.
With Jack Nowell injured the wings appear the places most up for grabs for the summer tour and a host of players are throwing their hats into the ring.
Chris Ashton looked back to his best against Clermont  Auvergne while Marland Yarde ran in a hat-trick last weekend, Anthony Watson is a thrilling rookie and Jonny May, the other man in possession, is still thriving with Gloucester.
Billy Twelvetrees is expected to be fit for the second Test at least and is likely to partner Luther Burrell in the midfield, as he did in the Six Nations.
Monye told The Rugby Paper: “With Luther and Billy in the centres, I’d have Manu on the wing. Just give him a roaming role and he could be exceptional out wide.
“He is a dangerous player who attracts so much attention in defence. He is too big a character and too big a player not to have in your team.
“You have got to factor in getting all the best players on the pitch but also all in the right position.
“I couldn’t see Manu playing on the wing at Leicester, they’ve got some really good wingers in Miles Benjamin, Adam Thompstone and Blaine Scully, while his partnership with Anthony Allen is fantastic.
“But when I look at the England back-line I think wing is one position where Stuart Lancaster is not 100 per cent sure of his combination.
“You’re a year and a half out from the World Cup and you have to look at it. A tour to New Zealand would be a great opportunity.”
The 22-year-old Yarde, a success in Argentina last summer, is expecting to make his Test return in New Zealand after watching England thrive while he nursed a hip injury.
Yarde said: “England’s game has moved on in the last six months and it is really exciting. It was gutting watching it but awesome at the same time.
“We are 500 days away from the World Cup and there are a lot of guys who want to be in the team. It’s about making sure you take any opportunities you get.
“That would be a massive test. It means everything – it is what I strive for in rugby, really. But right now I’m just focusing on finishing the season. I’m trying to keep my mind off it.”
Monye backs the credentials of Yarde, who joins him at Harlequins next season.
“He can have a massive impact,” Monye said. “He is an exciting player and he stands out on the pitch with his big dreadlocks – the supporters will welcome him really well if he gets his head down, puts in the hard yards and does what he has been signed to do.
“The style in which he plays really complements what we do here so I think he is joining the best club to suit his game.”
The other exciting young- ster, Anthony Watson, was involved in the Six Nations training camp and as a travelling reserve against France.
And Monye believes it is time the 20-year-old got his chance.
“Anthony has been great,” said Monye. “It’s really good for him that he has learnt his trade at full-back because that gives you so much appreciation for wing play. Also it’s so useful when you are picking a World Cup squad of 30 to have people who can play in different positions and that is going to be massive for the squad.
“He will get a chance, no doubt, and with the Premiership final being the same week as the preparation for the first Test in New Zealand there might be wingers unavailable.
“That would open up a berth for somebody like Anthony. He has been very patient this year and, from all reports during the Six Nations campaign, trained fantastically well.
“He is another top player – really exciting.”
PADDY VON BEHR