Rugby Star Manu Tuilagi Apologises For Downing Street Prank

Rugby Star Manu Tuilagi Apologises For Downing Street Prank
Manu Tuilagi has apologised for playing a prank on Prime Minister David Cameron
Manu Tuilagi has apologised for playing a prank on Prime Minister David Cameron
Twitter

A British and Irish Lions rugby star who gave Prime Minister David Cameron "bunny ears" during a team visit to Downing Street has apologised for his photo prank.

England centre Manu Tuilagi stuck his fingers above Cameron's head during a photo shoot of players and management at the function, to honour the Lions' victory over Australia.

The Leicester Tigers centre said:

It is not the first time Tuilagi has been the centre of controversy as he was fined £3,000 by the Rugby Football Union after he jumped from a ferry during England's World Cup campaign in New Zealand two years ago.

Tuilagi was cautioned by police on that occasion and disciplined by then England coach Martin Johnson.

Following his latest prank, Tuilagi's team-mates reacted on social networking site Twitter.

Ben Youngs, a fellow British and Irish Lion, England and Tigers player, tweeted: "The man@Manutuilagi just couldn't stop himself."

The scrum-half later removed the tweet and posted a picture of himself posing outside 10 Downing Street.

Gloucester fly-half Freddie Burns tweeted: "Great bottle from Manu Tuilagi! Haha. #chief".

Cameron welcomed the victorious British and Irish Lions rugby squad for the reception yesterday, when he was presented with fly-half Jonny Sexton's number 10 jersey.

He said: "It's a huge honour. My son, just because of you guys, has just started tag rugby. He will be so excited about this jersey."

Cameron congratulated captain Sam Warburton and coach Warren Gatland as they brought along the Tom Richards Cup to Number 10.

The Lions, comprised of players from Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland, won the first and third tests to secure a 2-1 triumph in the three-match series with Australia during the summer.

The players and coaching staff were joined by their wives and girlfriends for the event.

Some of the Lions party took the opportunity to visit the Red Lion pub before the reception, which is in Parliament Street, just down the road from 10 Downing Street.

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