Tonight's rugby news as Wales star's wonderkid brother to make big debut and Davies tipped for Gatland call
Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, January 3.
Wales star's brother makes Premiership debut
Welsh-qualified rugby prodigy Kepu Tuipulotu is set to make his English Premiership debut for Bath this weekend, ahead of what seems an inevitable tug of war between England and Wales.
Hooker Tuipulotu gets his big chance as he's named on the bench for the match against defending champions Northampton Saints on Sunday. The promotion comes after a series of seriously impressive performances in the Premiership Cup competition that saw him score four tries in three matches in November.
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The highly-rated 19-year-old - who is considered one of the brightest young prospects in the game - hails from Pontypool and is the son of former Dragons and Tonga centre Sione Tuipulotu, as well as the brother of Wales Women star Sisilia.
The Welsh Rugby Union have made it a priority to convince him to represent Wales rather than England but the powerful hooker has been in the England pathway for the past four years and, having captained them at U18s level, could now want to represent them at senior level.
He joined Bath after finishing his sixth form studies at the prestigious Harrow School. He has captained England at under-18 level and attracted interest as a member of the London Irish academy before the club went bust.
A new World Rugby eligibility ruling means he could qualify for England earlier than first thought. You can read about that here.
Davies tipped for immediate Wales return
Ospreys second row Rhys Davies has been backed to push for an immediate place in Wales' Six Nations squad after making an impressive return from a nine-month lay-off.
Davies could well make the cut amid injuries to Adam Beard and Ben Carter after catching the eye against Cardiff on New Year's Day. Warren Gatland is a fan of the lock's physicality and ability to play six.
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones was hugely impressed with the 26-year-old, who he expects to have a big second half of the season.
"To produce that performance [against Cardiff] after so long out was phenomenal," Jones told the BBC.
"Rhys has been relentless in his rehab work as he proved by playing the full 80 minutes on an artificial pitch, which is 10% quicker than a grass pitch.
"That was a massive credit to both Rhys and the conditioning team after nine months out."
Jones added: "He produces those eye-catching moments but he also does all the dirty work that you need, defending the maul, pushing in the scrums.
"He's relentless with that type of stuff and personifies what we're about at the Ospreys, the team's attitude, fitness and ability to mentally stay in the fight."
World sensation set for debut against Wales stars
Social media sensation Ilona Maher is set for her Bristol Bears debut after being named on the bench for Gloucester-Hartpury’s visit to Ashton Gate on Sunday.
The American back, who boasts 3.4 million followers on TikTok, struck a deal with Bears in December, agreeing to a three-month contract beginning this month.
Maher’s signing sparked a surge in interest in Bears’ women’s side, so much so that several matches have been moved to the club’s much larger main venue, where a record attendance is anticipated this weekend.
The Gloucester matchday 23 includes a number of Wales internationals, including captain Hannah Jones, outside-half Lleucu George, flankers Kate Williams and Bethan Lewis and prop Sisilia Tuipulotu.
Bristol head coach Dave Ward said: “With a crowd of nearly 8,000 expected at Ashton Gate on Sunday, it’s a hugely exciting occasion and we’re hoping to give them something to cheer about.
“We understand the importance of the game in the context of our season, and the quality of the reigning champions, but we head into the game with confidence and relishing the occasion and the challenge.”
Maher, who can play at both at centre and wing, won sevens bronze with the United States in Paris, then went on to become the runner-up on Dancing with the Stars, the American equivalent of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 28-year-old has not played in 15s since 2021, but is hoping to reacquaint herself with the format in hopes of earning a place on the USA squad who will travel to this summer’s World Cup in England.
She first played 15s in college at Quinnipiac University and earned two international caps during the 2021 Pacific Four Series.
Maher is the most followed rugby player on social media, and rose to fame combining messages of body positivity and female empowerment with her signature sharp sense of humour.
