Among the messages of congratulations given to Sisilia Tuipulotu last week were some from her cousins.
Nothing unusual in that, you might think. After all, whose extended family would not be pleased to see a 19-year-old cap her first Test start at tight-head prop with a try and player-of-the-match award.
Except that these were no ordinary cousins.
Those texting Wales’ Sisilia Tuipulotu to say, “well done, cuz” were Wales and Lions star Taulupe Faletau, England pair Billy and Mako Vunipola and Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu.
On Saturday at 5.30pm, “Lil’ Sis” will be hoping to earn more rave reviews when she packs down with Wales again for their round two clash against Scotland in Edinburgh.
Having thrashed Ireland 31-5 last week to begin their tournament with a bang – and with a recent narrow World Cup win over the Scots last October – Wales should be slight favourites to make it two from two in the competition.
“I can’t wait to play against Scotland – I loved every minute of it against Ireland,” says Tuipulotu, who will earn her ninth cap, having converted to prop from second row.
“Getting my first try for Wales was just an amazing feeling. I’d had one disallowed, so I was just so hungry to get another one.
“It was great to have so many people there – especially lot of people who had never attended a women’s game before. It’s really exciting to think how far this can build.”
Wales are also interested to see how big the reputational build can be for their teenage sensation, who plays her club rugby for Gloucester-Hartpury.
Wales coach Ioan Cunningham has already predicted that Tuipulotu will go on to become one of the best players in the world.
A record crowd for a women’s match in Wales of 4,962 watched Wales crush Ireland with five tries at Cardiff Arms Park, to start their campaign with a bonus point victory.
Scotland, meanwhile, were getting crushed themselves – this time under the weight of 10 tries as they were hammered 58-7 by defending champions England.
The Scots lost every Six Nations match last year, going down 24-19 to Wales in Cardiff after opening up a 19-7 lead.
Another painful loss followed at the World Cup, with Keira Bevan kicking an 84th-minute penalty to seal an 18-15 victory.
Wales will be without their injured second row Gwen Crabb, but they have recalled the vastly experienced Sioned Harries at No.8.
Harries, who still works as a teacher and juggles her rugby with her classroom career, began her Wales journey 12 years ago when she was first capped as a 21-year-old.
She was in the side that beat Scotland back in the autumn and has warned her teammates the Scots will be desperate to make up for losing to the last kick of the game in New Zealand.
“They were very disappointed at the way they lost to us in the World Cup and they will still be very bitter about that,” says Harries.
“They are also coming off a big loss to England, so that is only going to make them tighter. We are playing away and their emotions will be running high, which is going to make them dangerous.”
