Paul Gustard: 'Manu Tuilagi improving with every game'

England defence coach Paul Gustard has said that Manu Tuilagi is "improving with every game" as he looks to build his way back up to full match fitness.

The Leicester Tigers centre has been dogged by injury for more than a year, but played the full 80 minutes for his club against Exeter Chiefs on Sunday before linking up with England's 33-man training squad.

Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill has insisted that Tuilagi is not yet ready for a return to the international stage, but Gustard remained coy on whether the 24-year-old would make the final squad for Saturday's Six Nations showdown with Wales.

"Manu went well against Exeter. He's had a limited amount of game time over the last couple of years, but has been improving with every game," Gustard is quoted as saying by PA.

"We had him in camp for a bit last week as well. He's showed some good touches and we have another opportunity to look at him for two days now.

"We have 33 guys contesting 23 places and Manu is one of them. There are a lot of good centres here in the group and the guys who have already been here have the jump on him."

Tuilagi has not played at international level for 21 months.