Little Angel makes big impact on return to Japan

Published1 hour ago

It is doubtful that Japan's front row would have considered Sisilia Tuipulotu to be a Little Angel when the Wales tight-head prop was dominating scrums on her return to Tokyo.

The Welsh set-piece helped secure a 17-0 win in tough conditions in the first of two Tests against the Sakura Fifteen in the WXV Global Series.

Tuipulotu was to the fore at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in the city that she called home for three years.

The prop's father, Tonga back Sione, played for Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars between 2006 and 2010 after moving from Dragons.

Sisilia was enrolled at Little Angels international school and is back in Japan for the first time.

Tuipulotu said: "I remember bits and pieces, but I barely know what I did yesterday!"

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Recollections of Tokyo as a child may be hazy but some of the scrums when the first Test was in the balance will live long in the memory.

Sean Lynn's side laid a platform up front to earn a scrappy win, with Tuipulotu playing 78 minutes.

"It was a long time to be on but the rest of the girls helped to keep me going," said the 5ft 9ins, 17st 6lbs prop, who has swapped Gloucester-Hartpury for Harlequins.

"There were lots of words of encouragement from the girls in the back-row because there were loads of scrums in the second half, telling me and Kelsey [Jones, hooker] to keep going.

"That comes down to the work of the strength and conditioning coaches, because before pre-season we had a pre, pre-season and that was savage. They have made us fitter as a team."

Tuipulotu, one of Wales' contenders for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand next year, is showing signs of being back to her best going into Saturday's second meeting with Japan in Kumagaya.

"Lynny just tells me to be myself," added Tuipulotu.

"I play my best rugby with a smile on my face, then the game takes care of itself."

Japan v Wales

WXV Global Series

Saturday, 31 October at 07:00 (GMT)

Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Saitama Prefecture

Live on iplayer and BBC Sport website & app. Audio commentary on Sounds, BBC Radio Wales Extra & BBC Radio Cymru.

Welsh pathway producing the goods

Tuipulotu, 23, was the fifth most experienced member of the starting line-up when she won her 39th cap in Tokyo.

Lynn has been quick to promote promising players when trying to turn around Wales' fortunes in the build-up to the 2029 World Cup.

Last weekend he fielded a second-row partnership of Jorja Aiono and Branwen Metcalfe, who had a combined tally of 15 caps.

"It's credit to the pathway that is bringing through players that are ready for this level," said Metcalfe, who started a capped international alongside her sister Nel for the first time.

"Players are coming through that are ready to perform and the coaches have been good at nurturing us and building further."

Balance remains key with Metcalfe and her fellow forwards learning from the likes of Alex Callender, Kelsey Jones and Georgia Evans while the backs have Lisa Neumann and Keira Bevan.

"They have been in the game a lot longer than I have and it's good to learn little bits and bobs from them in training. It's a privilege to be alongside them," added the 20-year-old forward.

Metcalfe – who was part of a four-strong Nant Conwy contingent in the Tokyo Test with Nel, Gwenllian Pyrs and Elan Jones – has featured in every Wales game this year and made seven consecutive starts.

"International rugby is a hard place to feel completely settled," said the lock or flanker.

"I want to keep pushing for the starting jersey and have plenty of growth to come. I feel that I am learning quickly, and you have to at this level if you want to compete."

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