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Kepu Tuipulotu is an English rugby union player who plays as a hooker for Bath Rugby and the England under-18s.

Early life

Born in Pontypool, he was a member of the London Irish academy, in February 2023 they won the under-18 Premiership Rugby title. He attended Harrow School where he captained the first-XV. He made a try scoring debut for the University of Bath playing BUCS Super Rugby in September 2024.

Club career

He joined Bath Rugby for the 2024–25 season. He made his professional debut on 2 November 2024, scoring a hat trick of first half tries in the Premiership Rugby Cup in a 73–0 away win over Ampthill RUFC. He was named among the Bath replacements for their European Rugby Champions Cup match against Benetton Rugby on 15 December 2024. He made his Premiership debut replacing Tom Dunn as Bath lost 35–34 after the clock had gone red against Northampton Saints.

International career

He chose to represent England over Wales, the country of his birth. In April 2023 he made a try-scoring first start playing for England U18s, appearing as a hooker in the under-18s Six Nations.

Personal life

His sister Sisilia Tuipulotu plays for Gloucester-Hartpury in the Premier 15s, and made her international debut for Wales at the 2022 Women's Six Nations. His father, Sione Tuʻipulotu, played for Tonga, winning 29 caps between 1997 and 2008, and played in Wales for Caerphilly RFC (2001–2003) and the Newport Gwent Dragons (2003–2006), while his cousin Carwyn Tuipulotu plays for the Scarlets.

References

1. "Second player born in Wales rejects Warren Gatland for England". Ruck.co.uk. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
2. "LONDON IRISH CLAIM PREMIERSHIP RUGBY U18 LEAGUE TITLE AFTER GRIPPING FINAL WIN". Premiership Rugby. 19 February 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
3. Morgan, Charlie (3 October 2023). "England's radical plan to create a first-class production line of props, hookers and locks". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
4. Thomas, Steffan (18 April 2023). "Wales keen to land dual-qualified young powerhouse who has just scored a truly sensational try for England". Walesonline. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
5. "Internationals impress on debut and Wheeler bags a brace as six-try Bath beat Durham in strong BUCS Super Rugby opener". Team Bath. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
6. Thomas, Steffan (18 April 2024). "WRU desperate to convince Wales international's brother to switch allegiance from England". Bath Rugby. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
7. Evely, John (23 April 2024). "Bath Rugby announce superstar academy intake: England captain, Bath U18s league-winning skipper, schoolboy champ". Somersetlive. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
8. Evely, John (6 November 2024). "Bath Rugby's young guns challenged to back up Ampthill win when Bristol Bears come to town". Somerset Live. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
9. "Ealing beat Saracens in Premiership Rugby Cup". BBC Sport. 2 November 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
10. Evely, John (13 December 2024). "Benetton v Bath Rugby team news live announcements ahead of Champions Cup clash". Somerset Live. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
11. "Late Fin Smith penalty lifts Northampton past Bath in cracker – latest reaction". The Telegraph. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
12. "Second player born in Wales rejects Warren Gatland for England". Ruck.co.uk. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
13. Sansom, Tom (17 April 2023). ""Remember the Name" England U18s Hooker Scores Outstanding Solo Try on First Start for his Country". Ruck.Co.Uk. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
14. Orders, Mark (20 December 2021). "New Tuipulotu giant blows people away as 17st 11lb Welsh girl tears up England's top competition". Wales Online. Media Wales. Retrieved 2 February 2022.

• Living people
• Rugby union hookers
• Bath Rugby players
• English rugby union players
• English people of Tongan descent
• People educated at Harrow School
• Rugby union players from Pontypool