Witch doctor massages will stop three lady spirits from injuring me again, claims Manu Tuilagi

England centre Manu Tuilagi revealed on Wednesday he had consulted a witch doctor in his native Samoa in a desperate attempt to cure the long-standing injury problems which have plagued his career.

The 26-year-old Leicester battering ram was sidelined for more than a year after suffering a hamstring injury in 2014, and missed almost the entire 2016-17 season with knee problems.

He made his comeback in the first game of the new season only to suffer a fresh injury to his other knee.

Tuilagi said his mother had suggested he visit the healer and that his trip to Samoa came with the blessing of Leicester director of rugby Matt O’Connor and club physio Ed Hollis.

“I saw the witch doctor for two hours a day and she said she found what the illness was,” the British & Irish Lions centre told BT Sport.