England vs Australia: Manu Tuilagi 'like an excited kid' as he prepares to end his injury nightmare

England centre could make his first appearance since March 2016 after being named among the replacements for Saturday's autumn international against Australia

Manu Tuilagi is “like an excited kid” ahead of his potential England return after being named among the replacements for this Saturday’s Test against Australia.

The 27-year-old has endured a long and frustrating run of injuries that has limited him to just one substitute appearance for England over the last four-and-a-half years, being a brief cameo against Wales in the 2016 Six Nations.

That frustration looked to be coming to an end at the start of November when he was named as a replacement for the opening Quilter International against South Africa, only to once again be cruelly struck down with a groin strain that saw him withdrawn from the side that defeated the Springboks and kept him out of the ensuing fixtures against New Zealand and Japan.

But after Eddie Jones gave him all the time available to prove his fitness, Tuilagi’s name was included as the last one on the team sheet, confirming his return against the Wallabies this Saturday if he gets on the field.

It will end his two-and-a-half years of waiting to wear the red rose again, and teammate Ben Youngs revealed that he is raring to go.

“Obviously when he got picked in Portugal he was going great guns and looking fantastic,” Youngs said on Thursday. “I was really disappointed he was always so close and just gets it not quite there.

“This week he's looked really sharp, really great. The medics and everyone have managed him brilliantly well to give him this opportunity this weekend. I'm sure he'll get his go and when he does take the field I'm sure he'll be welcomed with a great noise.”

“I think when he gets on the pitch we'll be giving it to him early so he can get himself in the game. Manu's like an excited kid at the best of times. So this is no different. He's certainly very excited about this.

“He's had to be really patient. He's trained really well. It's just unfortunate he just picked up that niggle just at the wrong time. I'm just so pleased to see him out there. He's certainly got a big grin on his face, like a Cheshire cat.”

Tuilagi could make his first England appearance in two-and-a-half years against Australia (Getty)

Tuilagi’s return is timely given that England have just 10 months - and crucially nine matches - after this weekend’s encounter until the Rugby World Cup gets underway. The Samoa-born centre was pinpointed right back at the start of Jones’ reign as a key figure whom he could build his attack around, only to lose his services for the best part of three years.

“He came through yesterday's (Wednesday) session really well and therefore he's ready to go, so it's a good opportunity for him and the team,” Jones said after announcing his team, adding that Tuilagi had quickly settled back into the squad environment by making the most of their pool table at their Bagshot training base.

“Manu absolutely can't wait to get out there. He skins everyone at the pool table so hopefully he can do that on the field as well.”

Dylan Hartley has been left on the bench for England's clash with Australia (Getty)

But while all eyes will be on Tuilagi’s return should it come at some point on Saturday, Jones also explained his decision to leave co-captain Dylan Hartley out of the starting line-up for the first time when he’s been available against a top level opposition. In his place will start Jamie George, whose previous starts for England have either come in rotated sides against Samoa and Japan or when Hartley has been absent through injury such as the Six Nations defeat by France last February and the summer tour of South Africa.

Jones stressed that this was not a sign of Hartley being dropped, with the Australian instead stressing the importance of having a player like George who can explode out of the blocks early on which allows England to rely on the experience of Hartley to see out the match in the closing stages.

“We just think that's the best order,” explained Jones. “We think Australia will come out like they normally do - like a bull in a china shop. Jamie is a very good defender and is very good when the play is open. I think he suits us in that first period of the game.

“The last part of the game is going to be bit of an arm wrestle and that's where Dylan is at his best.”

England squad to face Australia

Elliot Daly; Joe Cokanasiga, Henry Slade, Ben Te’o, Jonny May; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Ben Moon, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes; Brad Shields, Sam Underhill, Mark Wilson.

Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Alec Hepburn, Harry Williams, Charlie Ewels, Nathan Hughes, Richard Wigglesworth, George Ford, Manu Tuilagi.