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Wales Online
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John Jones

Manu Tuilagi's 23st nephew blows people away and he's about to face Wales

Standing at 6ft 4in tall, and tipping the scales at just over 23 stone, it's hard to know what is the most terrifying thing about Perpignan lock Posolo Tuilagi.

Obviously, there's his colossal frame. There is also his surname, which has over the years become shorthand for power and destruction on the rugby field. And then there's the fact he is only 18 years old.

Tuilagi, the son of Samoan legend Henry 'The Butcher' and nephew of Freddie, Alesana, Vavae and England international Manu, certainly has a reputation to uphold and all eyes were on him at the weekend as he played a key role in helping his side avoid relegation from the Top 14.

READ MORE: Wales international scores 'insane' try from 60m out after racing through five defenders and burying opponent

Perpignan were faced with the prospect of dropping down to the ProD2, having finished 13th out of 14 teams in France's top flight during the regular season. While this meant they avoided automatic relegation, they had to fight for their Top 14 status in an accession play-off game against the runner up of this year's ProD2 play-off, Grenoble.

Despite his tender age, Tuilagi wasted no time in making his presence felt, as he opened the scoring with just six minutes on the clock. After winning a lineout around 10 metres from the Grenoble line, Perpignan pulled off a well-worked move as they set up for a maul, only for the 18-year-old to peel around the back and charge down the blindside, steamrolling his way through three defenders who simply could not stop him from crashing over the line.

Tuilagi's try helped his side on the way to a 33-19 win which secured their Top 14 status for another season, although the rest of the league won't be too thrilled about having to deal with all 328lbs of him in the next campaign.

While he has undoubtedly caught the attention of many clubs, he has already signed on for another two seasons at Perpignan, where his father played for the final eight years of his career before retiring in 2015.

But after a busy season as part of Perpignan's senior side, this summer will see Tuilagi in action for France U20s at the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa, with the teenager expected to make an appearance against Wales in the pool stages.

The Welsh youngsters have been drawn in a tough group with Japan and New Zealand their other opponents, and will play Les Bleus in their final pool game in Cape Town on July 4.

Few of those in a red shirt on that day will struggle to forget the last time they faced Tuilagi, however, with the 18-year-old shining in a French demolition job against Wales in this year's U20 Six Nations after making his championship debut against England days earlier.

Winless going into the final round of the championship, Wales knew they would have their work cut out to control the rampant French, who had lost out on the title earlier in the day thanks to an Irish victory.

And France put on a show in Oyannax, scoring 11 tries as they recorded a huge 67-17 win over the visitors, with full-back Leo Drouet grabbing four and Tuilagi also getting on the scoresheet with a trademark bundle over the line from close range.

While Wales will almost certainly have their hands full when they encounter Tuilagi again in a few weeks' time, it's hard not to feel excited about the newest member of one of rugby's most powerful dynasties.

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