ENGLAND CENTRE MANU Tuilagi has received a four-match ban after being sent off while playing for the Sale Sharks last weekend.
But the powerhouse midfielder could still be available to face Ireland in a Six Nations finale in Dublin on 18 March.
Tuilagi was sent off for an elbow to the head of Tommy Freeman during Sale’s Premiership defeat at Northampton on Saturday.
A disciplinary hearing issued a four-game ban but that will be reduced by one match if Tuilagi completes World Rugby’s coaching intervention course, which is designed to improve players’ tackle techniques.
The 31-year-old Tuilagi has been capped 50 times by England in an injury-hit career.
But he has failed to make it into the match-day 23 for England’s first two games under new coach Steve Borthwick, with a 29-23 defeat by Scotland in a Six Nations opener at Twickenham followed by a 31-14 second-round win over Italy.
