Tuipulotu's two-try audition puts Lions Women spot at top of her agenda

Sisilia Tuipulotu delivered a two-try performance in front of British & Irish Lions Women coach Jo Yapp as Wales beat the Springbok Women 50-19 at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday, launching their WXV Global Series campaign in emphatic fashion.

Tuipulotu admitted she had no idea Yapp was in attendance until after the final whistle, but the timing could hardly have been better. The first-ever Lions Women tour to New Zealand looms over the women’s game, and Yapp’s presence at fixtures will inevitably fuel speculation about squad selection over the coming months.

“It’s probably number one on my goal list right now,” Tuipulotu said. “I want to perform the best I can and put my hand up for a spot on that team. From now until then, I’ll be working hard to give myself the best possible chance.”

The result was Wales’ first Test win in 14 months and only head coach Sean Lynn’s second victory since taking charge in March 2025. It also lifted the side two places in the World Rugby rankings — a welcome boost for a team that claimed the Guinness Women’s Six Nations wooden spoon for the third consecutive year earlier in 2025.

Wales crossed the whitewash eight times, blending forward power with multi-phase attack in a display that suggested an extended preseason and a settled coaching staff are beginning to pay dividends.

“I think that’s just down to the work of our coaches and the players buying into what they’ve brought into our style of play,” Tuipulotu said. “Every try is exciting as long as you get over the try line, but it’s good that we can score tries in many different ways. It shows the work we’ve been putting in and the progress we’re making as a team.”

Wales now face the USA Women’s Eagles in Cardiff, a side who arrived in Wales on the back of a 40-36 victory over Ireland in Dublin. Lynn’s squad will be looking to build on Friday’s momentum as Lions selection pressure begins to sharpen minds across the squad.