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Posolo Tuilagi (born 28 July 2004) is a professional rugby union player, who plays as a lock for Top 14 club Perpignan. Born in Samoa, he qualified for France through residency, having lived in Pyrénées-Orientales since the age of 3, and has played for the France national under-20 team.
| Date of birth | 28 July 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Samoa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.94 m (6 ft 4 1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 149 kg (23 st 6 lb; 328 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Henry Tuilagi (father) Henry Tuilagi Jr. (older brother) Freddie Tuilagi (uncle) Alesana Tuilagi (uncle) Anitelea Tuilagi (uncle) Sanele Vavae Tuilagi (uncle) Manu Tuilagi (uncle) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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He is the son of former Samoa international and Perpignan player Henry Tuilagi, as well as the brother of Club Athlétique Périgueux Dordogne player Henry Tuilagi Jr. He is the nephew of England player Manu Tuilagi and former Samoa internationals Freddie, Alesana, Anitelea and Sanele Vavae Tuilagi.
Early life
editPosolo Tuilagi was born on 28 July 2004 in Samoa before moving to England where his father, Henry, then played for Leicester Tigers.[1][2] He arrived in Perpignan, France at the age of three with his parents when Henry signed for the city's club. Posolo grew up and was educated – he graduated from high school in 2023 – in the Perpignan area where his father settled after his professional career.[3] He started playing rugby for French Catalonia's leading club in 2010.[4]
Club career
editHaving played in Perpignan youth teams, he made his professional debut for the Blood and Golds on 17 September 2022 in a home loss against La Rochelle.[5]
International career
editAfter a few caps for the France national under-18 team, Tuilagi made his debut for France U20 on 10 March 2023 in the Six Nations Under 20s Championship match against England. A few months later, he was named in the France U20 squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship and scored a brace in a 35–14 win over New Zealand on 29 June 2023.[5] On February 2, 2024, Posolo made his first appearance for the French Men's Senior Team, coming off the bench in the second half of France's opening game against Ireland.
Personal life
editTuilagi's father is former Samoa international and Perpignan player Henry Tuilagi. He is the nephew of England centre Manu Tuilagi and former Samoa internationals Freddie, Alesana, Anitelea and Sanele Vavae Tuilagi.[6] His brother, Henry Tuilagi Jr. is also a professional rugby union player who currently plays in the Nationale, the third tier of club competition in France.
Honours
edit- France U20
- World Rugby Under 20 Championship
Champion (1): 2023
- Six Nations Under 20s Championship
Runner-up (1): 2023
References
edit- ^ "Posolo Tuilagi - Player profile". Eurosport. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ Cameron, Ian (19 September 2022). "A giant new Tuilagi has made his professional debut". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ Fondacci, Théo (29 June 2023). "XV de France. Tout le monde parle de Meafou, mais si c'était Posolo Tuilagi le futur numéro 5 des Bleus ?". Le Rugbynistère (in French). Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "Posolo Tuilagi" (in French). FFR. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Posolo TUILAGI: profile and stats". All.Rugby. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ Bové, Hugo (16 September 2022). "USAP : 18 ans, 1,92 m, 145 kg, Posolo, le fils Tuilagi débarque en Top 14". L'Indépendant (in French). Retrieved 29 June 2023.
External links
edit- USA Perpignan
- Posolo Tuilagi at All.Rugby