The England U20s star is one who got away from Wales
Rising English rugby star Kepu Tuipulotu has lifted the lid on why he turned down Warren Gatland’s offer of a place in Wales’ Six Nations squad.
The 19-year-old hooker was born in Pontypool to Tongan parents but qualifies for England on residency after taking up a scholarship at the prestigious Harrow School in London, resulting in the powerful forward representing England at age-grade level.
Tuipulotu has made a huge impact for England U20s and has already acquired a handful of appearances for Gallagher Premiership winners Bath.
Such is the teenager’s potential Gatland offered him a place in the senior Wales squad for the 2024 Six Nations which he turned down.
“It was tough,” he told RugbyPass.
“I lean on my dad quite heavily for guidance and wisdom. The main one was, I was still in school at the time.
“My mother is quite big on, there’s a life after rugby, you’ve got to have a plan B. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
“You back your abilities – everyone should – but having the confidence to make the right decision in my mind, and with my mum and dad backing me, they gave me the confidence to not say yes in terms of sticking with where I was, finishing my upper sixth year and travelling down the path of England rugby.”
Tuipulotu’s decision to represent England at senior international level is a severe blow for the Welsh Rugby Union and is mired in controversy.
Following the World Rugby Council’s decision in October 2023 to amend the eligibility criteria, Tuipulotu is allowed to represent England at senior level with immediate effect.
Prior to last August, time spent in school or higher education did not count towards residency because the 60 months required to qualify to represent another nation needed to be unbroken. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here.
The recent law amendment means the 60-month qualification period does not need to be unbroken, which is a big problem for the WRU given the huge volume of talented Welsh players who have taken up scholarships in English schools.
Despite having fond memories of his childhood in Wales Tuipulotu believes he can hit the big time with England.
“I keep myself accountable to those goals,” he told RugbyPass.
“Yes, I want to represent England and yes, the next four years, having that Lions opportunity, and be a regular starter for Bath. I visualise those goals and put myself in those situations.
“If I’m good enough, I’m ready to go out and deliver.”
He recalls family camping trips to north Wales where his determination and competitive spirit began to thrive. Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
“We’d have these touch rugby games and I’d be the first one to properly throw my body in but the first one to cry,” he told RugbyPass.
“It would start off touch, I’d slowly lose my head, be the first one to get bumped off or sat down and then cry. Winning was the only outcome.
“I’d hate losing to the point where I’d be crying and stroppy and want to go again and play against my sisters at whatever we did, or against the cousins in a bit of touch rugby. I’d be the most annoying bloke ever.
“Anything I did, I wanted to win. Even playing the Wii with my sisters. If I’d lose, I’d be like, ‘let’s go again’, until the point I started absolutely battering them and they didn’t want to play anymore.
“I was quite annoying and competitive until I got older and took rugby as a passion and a job.”
England’s gain is certainly Wales’ loss.
