Tuilagi To Miss World Cup Over Police Assault

An England rugby international is to miss the World Cup after pleading guilty to assaulting two female police officers.

Manu Tuilagi, who is more than 6ft tall and weighs more than 17 stone, pushed both of the women hard in the chest as they tried to arrest him after he grabbed a taxi driver by the throat in a late-night altercation last month.

The 23-year-old Leicester Tigers player also kicked the cab's wing mirror during the fracas in Leicester city centre at 3am on 26 April.

The England centre, who has 25 caps, has been ruled out for selection to the squad until 2016 after pleading guilty to two counts of assaulting a police officer, one of assault by beating, and another of criminal damage.

Appearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court this week, Tuilagi was ordered to pay more than £6,000 in fines, compensation, charges and costs.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster has told the player that given his conduct and convictions, he will not be considered for selection for the England team until January.

It means he will not play in the Rugby World Cup this autumn.

Tuilagi has apologised "unreservedly" for his actions which he said he "deeply regrets".

Lancaster said: "As role models and ambassadors for the game, the highest standards of behaviour are expected from every England player both on and off the field.

"Having spoken to Manu, he understands and accepts both the seriousness of the offences to which he has pleaded guilty and the consequences of his behaviour to his club, country and the game as a whole."

Leicester Tigers Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill said: "Manu knows and accepts his responsibilities and has received a significant punishment in being excluded from the England squad and the club will also take internal disciplinary action.

"While we do not in any way condone his actions in this case, Manu is a young man who has grown up in the public eye and he is a good professional in a top-level environment.

"He always gives his time very generously to supporters, particularly young ones, wherever he goes, and fully understands the role that the fans have played in his career."

Tuilagi said: "I take full responsibility for my actions and unreservedly apologise to all those involved in the incident, Leicester Tigers and England

"It is something I deeply regret and I totally accept the sentence given by the court.

"The club and Stuart have been very supportive and I understand their sanctions too.

"I know as an England player the need to conduct myself as a good role model for the game.

"I am very disappointed because my actions have let so many people down and I can only hope for a future chance to prove myself again."

Tuilagi has been at the centre of controversy before.

During England's last World Cup campaign in New Zealand in 2011 he was slapped with a £3,000 fine for jumping from a ferry into Auckland Harbour.

He has also previously been suspended for punching former Northampton and England wing Chris Ashton at a Premiership semi-final.

And he has been forced to apologise after making a "bunny ears" gesture behind the Prime Minister's back in Downing Street.