\n<\/p>\n
“It’s crazy to see where Samoa are from being close to beating us in 2023,” said Manu.<\/p>\n
“It’s tough to see.<\/p>\n
“My five brothers have played for Samoa, maybe they will say ‘go, get on the flight’!”<\/p>\n
Tuilagi played 20 league matches in Bayonne’s run to the Top 14 play-off semi-finals last season, a run of fitness that he rarely matched during his time in England.<\/p>\n
Although currently out of action with a hand injury, he believes a change of scenery has helped him avoid longer lay-offs.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s the sun and the red wine, something like that,” he joked.<\/p>\n
“Training’s intense [in England], over there maybe not as intense.<\/p>\n
“It’s long – on Tuesday, our big day, we will still be up at 6-7km [of running in the session]<\/p>\n
“But the contact is not as much as in England\u2026 just in general the lifestyle is different, the way the French live is very, very relaxed.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n