Carwyn Tuipulotu
| Date of birth | 28 September 2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Abergavenny, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 120 kg (19 st; 260 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Sedbergh School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Swansea University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Taulupe Faletau (cousin) Billy Vunipola (cousin) Mako Vunipola (cousin) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Carwyn Tuipulotu (born 28 September 2001) is a Welsh rugby union player, currently playing for United Rugby Championship and European Rugby Champions Cup side Scarlets. His preferred position is flanker or number 8.[1]
Professional career
[edit]Youth rugby
[edit]Tuipulotu was part of the Newcastle Falcons academy, and was part of the Welsh Exiles, leading to a contract with the Scarlets academy.[2]
Scarlets
[edit]Tuipulotu was named in the Scarlets first-team squad for the 2020–21 Pro14 season.[3] He was first called into the Scarlets matchday squad for a pre-season friendly against their rivals, the Ospreys, on 25 September 2020. He made his debut in the rearranged Round 8 match of the 2020–21 Pro14 against Leinster.[4] Tuipulotu signed his first professional contract with the Scarlets in February 2021, tying him to the region for the next four years.[2]
On 26 March 2022, Tuipulotu scored his first try for the Scarlets, in a 41–24 win over Zebre.[5] He scored another try in a friendly against the Saracens on 10 March 2023.[6]
Tuipulotu played for Llanelli RFC until the side was disbanded, and later featured for Carmarthen Quins RFC in Super Rygbi Cymru.[7][8]
Wales U20
[edit]Previously involved with Wales U16 and U18, Tuipulotu represented Wales U20 in the 2021 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Tuipulotu is the son of former Tonga international Kati Tuipulotu, who earned 16 caps between 1994 and 2001, and played in Wales for Ebbw Vale RFC, Dunvant RFC and Neath RFC during his career. Tuipulotu is also a cousin of England internationals Mako and Billy Vunipola, Wales international number 8 Taulupe Faletau and Wales Women’s international Sisilia Tuipulotu.[2]
The family moved to England in 2005, as Kati worked as a player-coach for New Brighton RFC. While in England, Tuipulotu attended Sedbergh School.[2] Tuipulotu studied philosophy at Swansea University.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "Carwyn Tuipulotu". Scarlets. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Carwyn Tuipulotu: Teenager signs four-year contract with Scarlets". BBC Sport. 9 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
- ^ "Squad". Scarlets. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Pro14: Scarlets 25-52 Leinster". BBC Sport. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ "Six-try Scarlets beat Zebre 41-24". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Battling young Scarlets fall to defeat at Sarries". Scarlets Rugby. 9 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Phillips and Tuipulotu start for Llanelli against Drovers – LLANELLI RFC". 9 November 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ "Team to take on RGC". 18 October 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
- ^ Doel, Jon (12 June 2021). "Welsh rugby's special giant and Faletau's cousin named in Six Nations squad". WalesOnline. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ Thomas, Simon (29 January 2021). "Giant teenager Carwyn Tuipulotu set for league debut". WalesOnline. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
External links
[edit]- Carwyn Tuipulotu at ItsRugby.co.uk
- Scarlets Profile
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