Tuipulotu looks set to pledge allegiance to Wales

WALES look to have won a tug of war with England for the services of one of British rugby’s hottest prospects.

Carwyn Tuipulotu – who grew up alongside Taulupe Faletau and is a family relative of both the British & Irish Lions No.8 and England internationals Mako and Billy Vunipola – has been named in the Wales U18 Druids squad which will take on a Scotland West side today.

The 16-year-old No 8, whose father Kati played for Ebbw Vale in the 1990’s, is on the verge of signing for the Scarlets academy for the start of next season.

Tuipulotu was born in Gwent, but moved to England when he was offered a place at Sedbergh – one of the best rugby schools in the UK.

He remains a Sedbergh pupil and is currently a member of the Newcastle Falcons academy. His prodigious talent has caught the eye of the England age grade set-up, but Tuipulotu now seems set to commit his future to Wales and defending Guinness PRO12 champions Scarlets.

The tussle for young players – especially those of Tongan heritage like Tuipulotu – who are eligible for both England and Wales has become increasingly heated with English public schools offering lucrative scholarships in a bid to secure their talent.

Welsh officials are concerned that once players are in the English system, they will be lost to them for good. Cardiff-born Sale Sharks No.8 Sam Moore, who has been invited to train with Eddie Jones' senior England squad, is a recent example.

But the WRU look to have won a significant battle in the case of the highly-rated Tuipulotu who has been tempted back over the border.

The WRU are working hard to ensure their Exiles programme identifies Welsh-qualified players. An invitation to a series of Exiles camps this month has been sent out to young Tongans. The WRU hope the camps – to be held in Nottingham, London and Somerset – will strengthen their allegiance to the Welsh cause.