Tuipulotu going back to basics as Gloucester-Hartpury embark on huge run

After a difficult start to the season, Sisilia Tuipulotu is keeping it simple as Gloucester-Hartpury chase a third straight Premiership Women’s Rugby title. 

The Circus have been beaten in three games so far this term, the same number they have lost in the past two seasons combined. 

But buoyed by a 31-7 victory over Loughborough Lightning, in which the prop crossed for a score, Tuipulotu believes that they are still on track to achieve their aim for the season. 

“It has been a tough start, I would say,” Tuipulotu admitted. “But I think to get the win last week after a tough start to the season really helped us.  

“We know what we need to do to learn from the mistakes in the games where we probably haven’t performed in.

Another five points in the bag 🔥

🤝 @aisltd_ @ChoiceFrames @ramsayhealthUK

⚡️🍒 | #LOUvGLO pic.twitter.com/R6L2l8hmBo

— Gloucester-Hartpury (@gloshartpury) December 10, 2024

“And then put them into the next game and that’s the good thing about league rugby. There is always the next game.

“As a team, we are tight-knit. No matter the scoreline and the performance we put out, we put it out as a team.

“We win as a team, we lose as a team also. The togetherness that we have is the thing that is getting us through the tough start.

“There is a balance among the squad that we know we have a job to in every game that we play.

“But there is big thing about having a smile on our faces and enjoying our rugby is just as important as well.”

Gloucester-Hartpury lost back-to-back games to Exeter Chiefs and Saracens earlier in the season, before defeat in the rematch with Bristol Bears two rounds ago.

Sights set on Saturday 🔥

🎟️ https://t.co/Ai068zR7Dh

🍒💫 | #GLOvSAR pic.twitter.com/WhnVaIuLGR

— Gloucester-Hartpury (@gloshartpury) December 9, 2024

Tuipulotu and her teammates bounced back with a bonus point win over Lightning in stormy conditions that again saw the champions go back to basics.

She added: “It was very important for us to get five points away from home.  

“It was very difficult, raining, windy, muddy, the classic rugby game, it wasn’t the best of conditions to play in but classic rugby. 

“Every year the teams will get better and better, I think teams have analysed us very well and they have done their homework on us as well.   

“I don’t think we need to reinvent ourselves. Rugby is rugby and as long as you do the basics well then the scoreline will take care of itself. 

“At the start of the season, our main goal was to be in that top four, so as long as we are top four by the end of the home and away season, that is all that matters.” 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sisilia Tuipulotu (@sisilia_tuipulotu)

Tuipulotu has struggled to establish a consistent place in the starting XV as she comes up against other front-row players of international quality. 

The 23-year-old is targeting a second World Cup for Wales but believes there are still things she needs to work on.

And there will be no greater test than the Circus' next three games: Saracens, Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears - the three teams who have already beaten them.

"I am probably not where I want to be right now from a performance point of view," Tuipulotu said. "But with the help of my teammates and my coaches, I will be where I want to be. 

“As a prop, your scrummaging has to be at its best, so I am focussing on getting better at that.

“As long as I put my best foot forward, it is about me doing my best to perform and being the best that I can be on a weekend, it just depends what I can do. 

“The World Cup is coming closer and as a Wales squad, we are just concentrating on our next matches. 

“We need to put our best foot forward in the Six Nations first and then put our focus on to the World Cup.”