Manu Tuilagi aware of England "scrutiny"

Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi has claimed that he has "grown up" since his controversial antics in New Zealand during England's failed World Cup campaign last year.

The 20-year-old came under fire when he jumped off a ferry into the Auckland Harbour just 24 hours after England were dumped out of the elite tournament at the quarter-final stage.

"When you wear the Red Rose you go out and represent everyone in the country. That has been clarified," said Tuilagi. "That comes from the experiences I had in New Zealand. After that you learn and change things.

"I've grown up fast in this environment. I feel I've learned a lot and with that experience I've grown up as a person as well as a player.

"I didn't realise before how much attention and scrutiny you get on you as an England rugby player. I realise it now. I realise I've got to make better decisions in future."

Tuilagi is preparing for a return to action after recovering from a shattered eye-socket as well as a hamstring injury.