‘Number one on my goal list’: Sisilia Tuipulotu eyes Lions spot

Scoring two tries in a big win is usually a good feeling for a player. Doing that in front of the British & Irish Lions Women coach, Jo Yapp, it is an excellent audition.

That is exactly what Sisilia Tuipulotu did on Friday night as Wales started their WXV Global Series campaign with a 50-19 win against the Springbok Women at Cardiff Arms Park.

“I actually didn’t know she [Yapp] was there until after the game, but I’m very happy that we gave the performance that we did on Friday in front of her,” Tuipulotu said.

The spectre of the first-ever Lions Women tour will hang over women’s rugby for the next 12 months and Yapp’s attendance at fixtures will become the subject of plenty speculation about how the team will lineup in New Zealand.

Selection is undoubtedly creeping into the minds of players too, who will have each of their performances put under the microscope from now to Lions squad selection day.

“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.”

It was Wales’ first Test win in 14 months and just Sean Lynn’s second victory since taking charge of the team in March 2025. The result also saw the team move two places up the World Rugby rankings.

For the team that were handed a Guinness Women’s Six Nations wooden spoon for the third year in a row, it was the perfect start to WXV Global Series.

Next up, the USA Women’s Eagles will roll into Cardiff. The North Americans themselves emboldened by a 40-36 win against Ireland in Dublin.

Wales came out with an all-new style of play in Cardiff. They blended forward-power with multi-phase attack and crossed the whitewash eight times in front of their home support.

A settled coaching staff and an extended preseason could well have been the difference for Wales. A difference that Lynn and his squad are hoping will continue this weekend against the Eagles.

“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.”