If Scotland are to overcome either South Africa or their perennial nemesis Ireland and emerge from the group of death at the forthcoming World Cup, it is a fair bet Finn Russell will be at the heart of it. The sorcerer’s return to favour midway through last autumn – after his baffling omission from Gregor Townsend’s original squad – was the catalyst for an encouraging Six Nations campaign and increasing optimism about their prospects in France despite their pool opponents.
Any calamity to befall the fly-half would be a grievous blow given the inspiration and influence he brings to the Scots’ attack, but it is not quite a one-man show in the playmaking department these days.
Sione Tuipulotu has brought extra muscle, solidity, confidence and class to a No 12 jersey worn by 10 previous incumbents during Townsend’s six-year tenure, having started 10 of their past 11 Tests. In tandem with a rejuvenated Huw Jones at outside-centre, the trio have given Scotland’s midfield greater potency than at any time since Townsend, John Leslie and Alan Tait were weaving their magic in the 1999 Five Nations-winning side.
The Melbourne-born Tuipulotu, who qualifies for his adopted country via a maternal grandmother from Greenock, struggled initially to replicate at Test level the barnstorming form he had shown since arriving at Glasgow in 2021 after a spell in Japan. He admits it took him a few games to work out how to dovetail best with Russell’s unique artistry, but their burgeoning on-field chemistry has grown alongside a developing bond away from rugby.
Tuipulotu, 26, thinks it may have started when they were both “on the naughty step” as members of the “Edinburgh Six” – a group including the then captain, Stuart Hogg, who broke team protocols with an unauthorised night out after their return from a Six Nations win in Rome in March 2022. But it has deepened in a mutual love of fashion, with pictures of their latest footwear and clothing choices pinging back and forth between them on Instagram.
Russell’s style is “quite edgy” and “pretty out there” according to Tuipulotu, who is looking forward to some shopping trips together as Scotland head to their World Cup base in Nice for the next few weeks, before moving north to Paris before their final two group games. After five years in the French capital with Racing 92, Russell should know his Hermès from his H&M, and the reported £1m-a-year salary awaiting him at Bath may provide some extra purchasing power.
“The thing about Finn is he has copied a lot of my fashion, but he just seems to have a lot more money than I do!” Tuipulotu says. “He can afford a lot of the things I like. Finn’s got a great style and it goes hand in hand with his rugby style, so that’s cool. I think we will go on a few shopping days, me and Finn, and I’ll just use his credit card.”
While being dedicated followers of fashion is not a prerequisite for a harmonious 10-12 partnership, Tuipulotu believes it has helped the pair to forge greater trust in the heat of a Test match.
“We’re pretty close off the field and, with both of our personalities, it definitely helps when you’re on the field,” he says. “We like talking about rugby too, we think about it in similar ways. Obviously he’s got a bit of a broader skill set than I do. I just try to complement his style as much as I can and keep my communication high.”
Tuipulotu offers a multidimensional threat – making hard yards, linking with Russell, creating space for others with soft hands and a deft kicking game, allied to rock-solid defence. He may have only 19 caps but his leadership has also been recognised. When Russell captained Scotland for the first time against France recently in the absence of Jamie Ritchie, Tuipulotu was one of his vice-captains.
His natural buoyancy should serve the Scots well as they prepare for a seismic opening game against the Springboks in Marseille on 10 September.
“They are reigning champions for a reason, they have got all the experience in the world, but we will go there and throw the kitchen sink at them in that first game,” he says. “I am sure the Boks will do exactly the same but you have got to go into a World Cup confident, don’t you, to do well.
“I am confident in my own ability and I am confident in the team’s ability that we can go over there and really shake things up. Of course, we have to play some good teams, but they have also got to play us, that’s how I think of it. Let’s go!”
Scotland’s second pool match, against Tonga in Nice, will also have particular poignancy for Tuipulotu. His father is “full Tongan” – as he puts it – while his Tongan grandmother died recently. “Although I’m playing for Scotland, it still feels like I will be representing all my heritage if I play in that game,” he adds. “I know they will be coming after me, like Tongan boys usually do when they face another Tongan guy. But I will be fully prepared for that. I’ll be trying to win.”
