My body wanted me to rest - Tuipulotu now raring to go

Sisilia Tuipulotu signs autographs at the reveal of Wales' 2025 Rugby World Cup kit

Women's two-Test series: Australia v Wales

Venue: Ballymore, Brisbane Date: Saturday, 26 July Kick-off: 05:00 BST

Coverage: Watch on BBC Sport online and BBC iPlayer, listen on Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds

Wales prop Sisilia Tuipulotu says she is a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and is now raring to go on her return to fitness.

The 21-year-old missed the end of Gloucester-Hartpury's title winning season with a hamstring injury.

She was also sidelined for the Women's Six Nations, swapping the scrum for pundit mics and DJ decks while recovering from surgery.

"It was the first big injury I've ever had, it was a big struggle," said Tuipulotu.

"But the girls really helped, they were all there and in return I was there supporting them.

"I'm a massive believer that anything can happen at any time, I guess my body just wanted me to rest and get back raring to go for the World Cup."

Tuipulotu has travelled with the Wales squad to Australia ahead of a two-Test tour against the Wallaroos, starting with Saturday's game in Brisbane.

"I'm doing everything I can to return to play, I'm as ready as I can be," said the tight-head.

Wales are still looking for a first win under head coach Sean Lynn after five straight Six Nations defeats.

They face an Australian side four places above them in World Rugby's rankings, but Tuipulotu is confident they can be competitive after a brutal pre-season.

"It's been tough, we've been training in the heat, climbing up sand dunes and going into army camps, but we've got to put our bodies in uncomfortable positions in order to be comfortable in the game," she said.

"I think it will be a good test before the World Cup, just to see where we are at as a team.

"We've got to take confidence in all the work that we've done in this pre-season and just go out and be us."

Sisilia Tuipulotu provided the entertainment for the record-breaking crowd when Wales took on England at the Principality Stadium

On their return to the UK, Lynn's side will have just three weeks to prepare for the World Cup opener against Scotland on 23 August.

It is a game that historically has gone down to the wire, with the teams also meeting in the opener of the last World Cup.

Scotland have come out on top in the most recent meetings, but Tuipulotu believes Wales can make it out of Group A, which also contains Canada and Fiji - the latter now coached by Lynn's predecessor Ioan Cunningham.

"We're preparing as hard as we can for that first game against Scotland, it's going to be a tough battle between the two," said Tuipulotu.

"We're always competitive whenever we play against each other, I have full confidence that we can do it."