Manu Tuilagi ruled out for remainder of season

England centre Manu Tuilagi faces yet another injury setback and has been ruled out of the rest of the season.

The 25-year-old was earlier removed from England's training camp in Brighton after he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] while playing for his club Leicester Tigers in the recent Aviva Premiership clash against Saracens last weekend.

The news was confirmed by Leicester Tigers interim coach Aaron Mauger, who took over the role after the sacking of Richard Cockerill.

"Unfortunately Manu sustained an ACL injury in the game on Sunday that's going to put him out for the rest of the season," said Mauger.

"It's looking like a six-month recovery which is devastating for the bloke, he's worked so hard to get back to where he is.

"He's absolutely gutted, but we've got a good support team around him, we'll put a good plan in place and we'll see him back on the field early next season."

Tuilagi's career has been marred with a series of injuries which prevented him from resuming his England career.

He was replaced from the England squad for the tour of Australia after he sustained a hamstring injury while the resurfacing of his long-standing groin problem during Leicester Tigers' opening game of the ongoing Aviva Premiership against Gloucester kept him out of out the autumn internationals.

He returned to action in the game against Bristol when he was named on the bench, but his latest knee injury has now shut the door for his hopes of making to the Six Nations squad.

However, Mauger is confident Tuilagi is not finished yet and believes his best is yet to come.

"Oh absolutely; Manu's started to show those signs in the last couple of weeks that's he's been in probably the best space that he's ever been in.

"We're really proud of the growth we've seen in him as a person.

"He was starting to get his explosive power and speed back and is really starting to understand the game better as well.

"He's starting to become a more complete footballer which is a great space for him to be in."