England star Manu Tuilagi pulled Downing Street prank on former PM David Cameron

17 September 2023 , 07:00

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Manu Tuilagi pulled a photo prank on former PM David Cameron

England star Manu Tuilagi once found himself in hot water after mocking former Prime Minister David Cameroon outside Downing Street.

The Sale centre is currently with his team-mates in France preparing for Sunday night's clash against Japan after helping them see off Argentina with 14-men in their opening game last weekend. Tuilagi has been in and around the England set-up for well over a decade.

Some exploits helped him land a spot on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia back in 2013, which the tourists won 2-1. He and the squad were hosted at No 10 but Tuilagi's decision to give the former Conservative Party leader 'bunny ears' didn't go down well with everyone.

He later apologised for the misdemeanour on social media and he wrote: "Apologies for messing around on Lions photo. No offence intended. Great Day at Downing Street. Thanks to Prime Minister for hosting us."

Tuilagi's bold gesture did earn praise from some of his fellow professionals. Ben Youngs, who was also on the Lions tour, said: "The manManutuilagi just couldn't stop himself." Freddie Burns, who later became Tuilagi's team-mate, said: "Great bottle from Manu Tuilagi! Haha. #chief".

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Cameron took it well as he replied to Tuilagi on social media: "No need to apologise. I know it was just a bit of fun." The England star responded: "Cheers for having a great sense of humour. [You are] always welcome around mine for dinner and to get me back!"

The centre is appearing at his third World Cup

Then Leicester boss Richard Cockerill, who had seen Tuilagi come through the ranks at Welford Road, admitted the centre's actions were "a bit daft" but maintained there was not malice in it. "He has been a bit daft. He has made an error of judgement. He should know better. He is old enough and wise enough to know he shouldn't have done it," he said at the time.

"We have reminded him of his responsibility and he has apologised on Twitter and he is writing to the Prime Minister to apologise. He probably thinks he is still at school messing about with his mates. There is a quality to that but also there is a time and a place."

Several former England internationals didn't have much patience for Tuilagi though with Brian Moore branding him a "complete and utter prat".

Tuilagi is currently featuring at his third World Cup having been part of the disappointing campaign in 2011 as well as the immensely successful one eight years later, when England reached the final. The centre scored in the iconic semi-final win over New Zealand in 2019.

Samuel Meade