Former England player Richard Cockerill has tipped Manu Tuilagi to be the star of the upcoming World Cup.

Cockerill believes that the 20-year-old is worthy of an England starting place in New Zealand and that he has the potential to change games on his own.

"I think England have got to start him and, if he gets that opportunity, he could well be the star of the World Cup," said Cockerill

"For me, he'd have to start somewhere in the England side, whether that's 12 or 13 or he could even play on the wing.

"He gives you that bit of an X-factor, he will score a try from nothing, as you saw against Wales. It was the deciding factor in the game."

Tuilagi scored a try on his debut against Wales and is in line to make his second international appearance in England's final World Cup warm-up match against Ireland on Saturday.