MANU Tuilagi has signed a new two-year contract with Sale Sharks.

The 29-year-old, who is nearing full fitness after suffering an Achilles injury five months ago, will remain with the Sharks until the end of the 2022-23 season having initially joined from Leicester on a short-term arrangement last summer.

The centre appears to be on course to return for Sale’s play-off push as they contest a top-four finish which was boosted by Saturday’s 25-22 win over Gloucester despite a first-half red card for Rob du Preez.

“I feel incredibly grateful to have the chance to stay here for another two years,” said Tuilagi, who has 43 England caps. “The boys here are fantastic, and the environment that the coaches and staff have created is so good for me, both on and off the field.

“We are going in the right direction, and it is a really exciting time to be involved with the club. I can’t wait to get back on the field as soon as possible.”

Tuilagi has been having salsa lessons as part of his injury rehabilitation, and he added: “It’s a bit different, but we wanted to keep rehab exciting so that I wasn’t just stuck in the gym doing calf-raises all day.

“So we got someone in to teach me, and I have really enjoyed it. I love it, but there is no chance I will be going on Strictly!”

Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Worcester, director of rugby Alex Sanderson said: “There is no ceiling to what he can do here. And we don’t want to put any limits on him. We just need to get him fit, make sure he is confident and happy, and watch him go.”

NEW DEAL: Manu Tuilagi

NEW DEAL: Manu Tuilagi