he began his first season, 2010–11, with the senior tigers side. tigers director of rugby richard cockerill said that he expected tuilagi to be a first-team regular and to play for before long. during this season he started the majority of games for tigers and was called up for england saxons duty. in leicester's premiership semi-final against northampton saints on 14 may 2011, tuilagi received a yellow card for punching chris ashton. tuilagi was later cited for this offence, and given a 10-week ban, later reduced to five weeks.