England duo Youngs and Tuilagi closing in on Leicester return

Leicester Tigers coach Matt O’Connor says he expects Ben Youngs and Manu Tuilagi to return from injury before the end of the season.

Rugby Union - England Training - Bagshot, Britain - February 2, 2018 England's Ben Youngs during training Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Scrumhalf Youngs was initially expected to miss the rest of the season after damaging knee ligaments in England’s opening Six Nations match against Italy, but now has a chance to face Northampton Saints in the English Premiership on April 14.

Centre Tuilagi has been pencilled in to return against Newcastle on April 27 after a scan revealed he had only strained his pectoral muscle in Leicester’s 16-15 victory over Wasps last month.

“It should be a couple of weeks rather than months,” O’Connor told British media.

Rugby Union - Premiership - Leicester Tigers vs Saracens - Welford Road Stadium, Leicester, Britain - December 24, 2017 Leicester Tigers' Manu Tuilagi Action Images/Andrew Boyers

“That’s hugely positive. He (Tuilagi) is running around and is probably going to be into some team training late end of this week or early next week.”

“He (Youngs) has worked incredibly hard to get back, so that he can contribute at the back end of the season. All the indicators are that he should be in and around selection next week.”

Young’s return means he should be available for the England tour of South Africa in June. Tuilagi has not played for the national team for more than two years due to a string of injuries.

Leicester next face Bath at Twickenham on Saturday.

(REUTERS)