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Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
Sisilia Tuipulotu has been capped 34 times by Wales
ByCeri Coleman-Phillips
BBC Sport Wales
Wales prop Sisilia Tuipulotu says selection for next year's inaugural British and Irish Lions women's tour is among her top rugby priorities.
The in-form tight-head scored two tries in Wales' emphatic 50-19 victory over South Africa on Friday, under the watchful eye of Lions head coach Jo Yapp.
With Yapp saying she will only take the best players in each position, most of the touring party to New Zealand is expected to be made up of England's world cup-winning stars.
But Tuipulotu's barnstorming display certainly puts her on the radar for when the squad is announced in May.
"I actually didn't know she [Yapp] was there until after the game, but I'm very happy that we gave the performance that we did in front of her," said Tuipulotu.
"It's probably number one on my goal list right now, to perform the best I can to put my hand up for a spot on that team."
Image source, Getty Images
Former England captain Jo Yapp coached Australia women before taking the Lions job
Tuipulotu, 23, exploded onto the international scene in the 2023 Six Nations, where she earned her "prop idol" nickname.
But injuries and potentially a lack of confidence amid Wales' slump in form never saw her reach the heights of her early promise.
But fans saw the Tuipulotu of old on Friday, with former Wales centre Jonathan Davies calling her performance "world class" during punditry.
Tuipulotu, who joined Harlequins from Gloucester-Hartpury in the summer, credits the six weeks of pre-season for getting her back to her best shape.
"This is probably the best place where I could be physically," she said.
"In the last year I've come back from injury, but I haven't played the rugby that I wanted to play, so I'm happy with how Friday went."
Wales v USA
WXV Global Series
Saturday, 26 September at 15:00 BST
Cardiff Arms Park
Live on BBC One, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, with live text coverage
Wales' attention now turns to USA, who they face at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday (15:00 BST).
USA pulled off a stunning comeback victory against Ireland on Sunday, and are now up to sixth in the world, while Wales have risen two places to 11th.
"We'll go into this game confident," said Tuipulotu.
"We're going into this game with a win in hand, but to back it up even more will just give us that fire in our bellies to go out and perform.
"If we just carry on playing the way we do and improve every week, then hopefully we get the crowd there too."
