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Two Premiership clubs in the hunt to sign Glasgow's Sione Tuipulotu
By Neil Fissler
Gallagher Premiership sides Bath and Harlequins have made enquiries about Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu, who is out of contract with Glasgow Warriors at the end of this season. The 27-year-old, who hails from the Melbourne suburbs, is also being courted by several French clubs. Top 14 strugglers Stade Francais, who this week promoted assistant Paul Gustard to head coach, are reported to be among them.
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The former Australia U20s international played for the Super Rugby Rebels and Shizuoka Blue Revs in Japan before moving to Scotstoun in 2021. He was joined in Scotland this summer by younger brother Mosese, who is playing for Edinburgh.
Tuipulotu qualifies for Scotland via a Greenock-born grandmother. He has won 27 caps, scoring two tries, and has made 58 appearances for the Warriors.
He can play at inside centre, which is said to appeal to Harlequins who opted not to sign anyone to replace Springbok Andre Esterhuizen when he was released from his contract earlier in the year to rejoin the Sharks.
Bath are also looking at options as they could be in need of a big ball-carrying outside centre. England pick Ollie Lawrence is in the last season of his contract at The Rec and hasn’t yet agreed terms to stay at the club. Tuipulotu would appeal to Johann van Graan, who would be able to partner him with fellow Scotland backs Finn Russell and Cam Redpath.
He is currently in the running to make Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions squad for next summer’s tour to Australia. “I would love to have an opportunity to go over there and play them with a bit of unfinished business,” said Tuipulotu last month in a BBC interview.
“I left Australia, to be honest, a little bit angry. I don’t have the same anger. But I still have that same competitiveness to want to go back there and play them. It would be unreal.”
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He should go back to the Waratahs, delivering them a title would be the best way to do it. He would be the last piece the team need to be complete with test stars in every position.
Could have a large part of the season in Japan first to rake in even more money as well. Obviously his brother has just come from them and another test player has gone to the Premiership.
If the rugby scene their turned into a British and Irish league how do you think Edinburgh and Glasgow would get on retaining the best players if movement is allowed?