'This is a massive achievement... it's right up there for me': Manu Tuilagi hails England's win over Ireland in his first Six Nations start in six years By Simon Mills For The Mail On Sunday Published: 23:09 GMT, 2 February 2019 | Updated: 23:10 GMT, 2 February 2019 Viewcomments Manu Tuilagi couldn't contain himself. As Henry Slade erased any chances of a late Ireland comeback, his ecstatic new midfield partner slid over the line to embrace him. After six years without a Six Nations start, Tuilagi is emphatically back and battering opponents. England, at last, have one of their most potent weapons fit and firing. The Leicester centre has tasted the highs and lows of the international game, from his ferry-diving antics at the 2011 World Cup to blowing the All Blacks apart at Twickenham in 2012 and a run of injuries that had restricted him to just two brief cameos for Eddie Jones. Manu Tuilagi was instrumental for England at centre as they won 32-20 at Ireland on Saturday But for Tuilagi nothing rates as highly as England's explosive performance in Dublin where England got the ball in his hands in the opening minute to start the attack that ended in Jonny May's opening try. 'This is a massive achievement - it's right up there for me,' said Tuilagi. 'It's the first game of the Six Nations, Ireland are the best in Europe and second in the world for a reason. 'It's probably tougher than that win against New Zealand because you don't have many teams that come to Ireland and win. It gives us a bit of momentum.' Tuilagi got straight into the game when England threw a ball over the top of the line-out in the opening minute. 'It's been a while for me in the Six Nations - it was nice to be back out there and to enjoy the whole atmosphere right from the start.' Tuilagi was involved early and often - with his impact setting England's tone in Dublin Slade and Tuilagi were thrust together because of an injury to Ben Te'o and Eddie Jones's decision not to switch Owen Farrell from fly-half. And Slade, scorer of two tries, said: 'It's the first time I've ever had the chance to play with Manu. 'Normally I'm injured and he's fit or I'm fit and he's injured. But I really enjoyed playing with him and who knows? Maybe we can carry on together.' Henry Slade scored two tries as England stunned the defending Grand Slam champions Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility