Tuilagi apologises for 'bunny ears'

England centre Manu Tuilagi has apologised for playing a prank on Prime Minister David Cameron during the British and Irish Lions' visit to Downing Street on Monday afternoon.

Tuilagi gave Cameron 'bunny ears' while stood behind and to the left of the Conservative Party leader as a group of players and management posed for a photo at the function to honour the Lions' 2-1 series victory over Australia.

Using Twitter to express his remorse for the incident, the Leicester Tigers centre said: "Apologies for messing around on Lions photo. No offence intended. Great Day at Downing Street. Thanks to Prime Minister for hosting us."

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".