CARWYN Tuipulotu hopes he can be Wales' long term No.8 after turning his back on England.
The 18-year-old is a cousin of Red Rose stars Billy and Mako Vunipola while he is also related to Bath, Wales and Lions back row ace Taulupe Faletau. Wales have struggled to produce destructive ball carrying No.8s in recent years, but at 6ft 2ins and 125kg (19st 7lbs), Tuipulotu has already been marked out as a player for the future.
“I am very much committed to Wales,” he told TRP. “I don't see England and Tonga as potential options for me. I chose Wales because it feels like home to me and the people are so welcoming. “Me and my family have already moved down to west Wales and my plan is to be involved with the Scarlets A team next season while hopefully playing for a local feeder club. “I'd describe myself as being a good, skilful ball carrier.
“Playing for Wales U20s is definitely a goal for me this season and it would be great to measure myself against the best in the world at that level.”
The Scarlets prospect is the son of former Ebbw Vale and Tongan international Kati Tuipulotu and was born in Abergavenny, having been delivered by the wife of Wales defence coach Byron Hayward. At a young age he was awarded a scholarship at Sedbergh School in Cumbria before being persuaded to join the Scarlets by former Wales coach Gareth Jenkins.
He said: “When I'm at school I'm trusted to do the gym strength and conditioning programmes the Scarlets have set out for me and when I'm on school holiday I go straight into training with the academy. “I have applied to a couple of universities in Wales, but my first choice is hopefully to study philosophy at Swansea.
“At first I didn't know about Sedbergh or any other private schools, but I soon realised how prestigious Sedbergh was. I've been fortunate enough to have been given a lot of opportunities through Sedbergh and the Scarlets have a great programme which I think can help me improve as a player.”
Tuipulotu has big footsteps to follow if he is to emulate the rugby achievements of his family members. His physical presence is one of his biggest attributes, but Tuipulotu is focussed on working hard and is confident he can make a success out of being a professional rugby player. “I've grown up with the Vunipolas and the Faletaus and count them as my older brothers.
“I take a lot of inspiration from Billy, Mako and Taulupe as I saw how proud they made their parents and how much fun it looked being a professional rugby player,” Tuipulotu said.
“I am highly motivated and willing to work extremely hard to make it. I want to make my family proud and inspire my little cousins as Billy, Mako and Taulupe did to me.”
