women
international women
Scoring two tries in a big win is usually a good feeling for a player. Doing it in front of British & Irish Lions Women coach Jo Yapp is a great audition.
That’s exactly what Sisilia Tuipulotu did on Friday night as Wales started their own 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 put on a performance in front of her like we did on Friday,” Tuipulotu said.
The specter of the first Lions Women tour will hang over women’s rugby for the next 12 months, with Yapp’s presence at games the subject of much speculation about how the team will line up in New Zealand.
The selection is undoubtedly getting into the minds of the players as well, whose every performance will be under the microscope from now until the Lions team selection day.
“It’s probably number one on my goals list right now,” Tuipulotu said.
“I want to do my best and get my hands on a spot on that team. From now until then, I’m going to work hard to give myself the best possible chance.”
It was Wales’ first Test win in 14 months and only Sean Lynn’s second since taking over in March 2025. The result also saw the team move up two places in the World Rugby rankings.
For the Guinness Women’s Award winning team Six Nations wooden spoon for the third year in a row, it was the perfect start to the WXV Global Series.
It’s next USA The Women’s Eagles will enter Cardiff. The North Americans themselves were encouraged by the 40-36 victory Ireland in Dublin.
Wales came out with a whole new style of play in Cardiff. They combined power forward with a multi-phase attack and crossed eight times in front of their home support.
A sorted coaching staff and an extended pre-season could have been the difference for Wales. It’s a difference Lynn and his team hope will continue this weekend against the Eagles.
“I think it’s just down to the work of our coaches and players buying into what they brought to 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 a lot of different ways. It shows the work we’ve put in and the progress we’re making as a team.”