Despite becoming a shining light under Stuart Lancaster’s tuition in the RBS 6 Nations, the youngest of the Tuilagi brothers admits he owes his Leicester Tigers teammates when they face Harlequins in the domestic showpiece on Saturday.

The 21-year-old was suspended for lashing out at England teammate Chris Ashton in last season’s semi-final against Northampton Saints – meaning he missed out on his first ever final.

But Tuilagi, who has grabbed five tries in just ten appearances for his country, is desperate to make amends and help Tigers erase the memory of their 22-18 loss to Saracens in 2011.

He said: “No rugby player likes to miss any game, especially a final, and especially a first ever final. Sometimes this happens because you are injured. Most guys will experience this at some point.

“But I missed the final through my own doing. Nobody else's. I had only myself to blame. I let the club, my team-mates and myself down.

“I would have been much happier if we'd won last year, because then I wouldn't have to think about whether I could have made a difference. I'm not saying I would have done, but I might have. I'll never know.

“I've learned a lot of lessons in the past year, but that was the first one. At Leicester you are lucky to get a few chances to appear in cup finals and big games, but you still never know when it could be your last.

“Through my own actions I have already missed one. I have a lot of making up to do against Quins.”