Rugby: Tuilagi to miss World Cup after assaulting a police officer

England player Manu Tuilagi. Photo / Brett Phibbs.

England centre Manu Tuilagi will miss the Rugby World Cup and has been banned from playing for his country after pleading guilty to two counts of assaulting a pair of female police officers.

The 23-year-old Leicester centre was ordered by Leicester Magistrates Court to pay a total of STG6,205 ($NZD 13,000) in fines, compensation, charges and costs.

England coach Stuart Lancaster announced on Friday that Tuilagi, who has scored 11 tries in 25 Tests for England, would not be considered for selection in the national elite playing squads until January next year.

"As role models and ambassadors for the game, the highest standards of behaviour are expected from every England player both on and off the field," Lancaster said in a joint statement issued by the Rugby Football Union, Leicester and Tuilagi.

"Having spoken to Manu, he understands and accepts both the seriousness of the offences to which he has pleaded guilty and the consequences of his behaviour to his club, country and the game as a whole.

"England will continue to liaise with Leicester Tigers and have every confidence that the club will continue to support Manu in the right way."

Tuilagi pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating, one count of criminal damage and two counts of assaulting a police officer.

The incident took place in the Midlands city of Leicester during the early hours of April 26.

He lashed out at a taxi driver, grabbing him by the throat before kicking the cab's wing mirror.

Two female police officers tried to put handcuffs on him and pushed the pair of them hard in the chest.

"I know as an England player the need to conduct myself as a good role model for the game," said Tuilagi.

"I am very disappointed because my actions have let so many people down, and I can only hope for a future chance to prove myself again."

Leicester boss Richard Cockerill said: "Manu knows and accepts his responsibilities and has received a significant punishment in being excluded from the England squad, and the club will also take internal disciplinary action."

Tuilagi has been sidelined since October with a groin injury but was expected to be fit enough to be considered for selection in England's squad for the Rugby World Cup, which starts in September.

He has not played for England since a 36-13 loss to New Zealand in Hamilton in June 2014.

England do have plenty of midfield options with Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph appearing in the Six Nations when Brad Barritt, renowned for his defensive skills in midfield was injured, with Kyle Eastmond and Billy Twelvetrees also pushing for a starting spot.

Samoa-born Tuilagi has a chequered disciplinary record, having infamously jumped off a ferry into Auckland harbour following England's quarter-final exit at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

He also caused embarrassment in some quarters when he appeared in a photo making a "bunny ears" gesture behind British Prime Minister David Cameron at a reception for the victorious 2013 British and Irish Lions squad after the combined side's 2-1 series win in Australia.