Glasgow Warriors sign Tuipulotu

The 21-year-old – who is the younger brother of Glasgow Warriors, Scotland and British & Irish Lions centre, Sione Tuipulotu – will link up with Franco Smith’s squad when pre-season gets underway at Scotstoun next month.

He becomes the fourth arrival at Scotstoun prior to the 2025/26 season, joining Scotland second-rower Alex Craig, as well as utility backs Dan Lancaster and Charlie Savala, in making the move to Glasgow.

A product of St Kevin’s College in Melbourne, Tuipulotu captained his school’s first XV in 2022 before joining the Melbourne Rebels academy setup.

The hooker represented the Rebels at U19 and U20 level, before joining the Waratahs academy prior to the 2024/25 campaign.

Tuipulotu, who represented Australia U20 at the World Rugby U20 Championship in 2024, is eligible to represent Scotland courtesy of his grandmother from Greenock.

“I’m really looking forward to moving to Glasgow,” Tuipulotu told glasgowwarriors.org following the announcement.

“I’ve been following the team for the last couple years and have seen how well they’ve been doing, not to mention how much the fans get around the boys.

“⁠I’ve spoken to Nonz [Sione] about Glasgow a lot, and he’s just told me that while it’s different to home – especially being a lot colder than Australia! -, the culture within the team and within the community in Glasgow is so strong.

“As soon as Glasgow sent me the contract offer, Sione was the first person I called, and he told me to pack my bags and join him up north!

“I spoke to Franco [Smith] earlier in the year, too, mostly just speaking about how I was doing and how my rugby was going, as well as the possibility of moving up to Glasgow. I’m really looking forward to being able to work with Franco and the rest of the staff. I’ve seen how much work they’ve done for the players, and that’s shown on the field when the boys play.

“To be able to play at Scotstoun would be an unreal moment in my life. I’ve seen and heard how electric the fans are with the atmosphere they create, and how much they back our boys – I can’t wait to meet them all!”

Head Coach Smith welcomed Tuipulotu, adding: “Tavi is a player that we have been tracking for a while, and we’re pleased that he has decided to follow Sione in making the move north to continue his rugby journey with us.

“He brings dynamism in both attack and defence, as well as a real desire to work hard and learn from both the coaches and the players around him.

“We look forward to working closely with him upon his arrival at Scotstoun, as we continue to build towards the new season.”