We’re rugby stars who grew up in the same family, but play for THREE different countries

THE Tuilagi name is an instantly recognisable dynasty in world rugby.

Six brothers and one nephew became professional, but despite being born in Samoa, their international caps span across THREE different countries.

Freddie, Henry, Alesana, Anitelea, and Sanele Vavae have all represented Samoa at the highest level, meanwhile Manu chose EnglandRex Features

No family has left a bigger imprint on Leicester Tigers and English domestic rugby than the Tuilagis.

In 2000, Leicester’s director Dean Richards, was in the market for a hard-hitting centre and began scouting the eldest brother Freddie Tuilagi.

Freddie, now 52, had previously represented Samoa in 16 Tests before switching codes to rugby league.

A few months into his Leicester career, he mentioned that he had a couple of brothers who were playing for Italian side Parma.

In came Henry, 47, and Alesana, 42, the second and third eldest brothers.

Both siblings would go on to inspire fear within a generation of English players and played ten times for Samoa’s national team.

The three eldest played together in the World Cup qualifier against Fiji in 2002.

Leicester prop Dan Cole once stated: “There was one season where Alesana was unstoppable and was the best winger in the world.”

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The youngest Tuilagi was part of the England squad that dismantled New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup Semi- Final, alongside Ben Youngs and Henry Slade[/caption]

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Manu, 32, has earned 59 England caps and has also featured for the British & Irish Lions.[/caption]

Anitelea briefly followed the Tuilagi tradition of representing Leicester, and became the youngest player to play for Samoa at aged 19.

Nicknamed Andy – he heartbreakingly missed out on the 2007 Rugby World Cup through injury.

Sanele, 35, also spent two years with Leicester and made his debut for Samoa in 2015.

But, the youngest brother Manu Tuilagi was reported to be the best of the lot.

Manu joined Leicester’s academy, qualified for England on three year’s residency and wasted no time making an impression.

He became England’s youngest World Cup player at 20 years and 115 days against Argentina, being 15 days younger than Jonny Wilkinson, who set the record in 1999.

He told England Rugby: “I remember watching Wilkinson in 2003 with my dad and brother at three in the morning.

“We were just sat in front of the TV and watched Jonny, he was the only one whose name we knew.

“Then to come here and have had the opportunity to play with him is unimaginable.” 

England will be without Manu for the start of the Six Nations after he suffered a groin injury in Sale’s Premiership victory over Saracens in December.

Henry’s son, Posolo, 19, was the seventh family member to reach the top of the sport.

Posolo was born in Samoa but moved to England as a baby and then France aged three, when his father played for Perpignan.

After 12 years within USAP’s academy, Posolo burst into Perpignan’s first team in 2022 and qualified for France through residency.

The lock made his senior international debut against Ireland in the Six Nations, following Paul Willamse’s red card.

Uncle Manu was in the crowd watching on, but France were ultimately defeated 38-17.

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Posolo Tuilagi opted to play for France[/caption]

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