Tuipulotu targets 'unreal' Lions spot in native Australia

Sione Tuipulotu (right) has become an influential figure for Glasgow Warriors and Scotland

Glasgow Warriors and Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu says it would be "unreal" to play for the British and Irish Lions in his native Australia next summer.

Melbourne-born Tuipulotu, 27, signed for Glasgow Warriors in 2021 and made his Scotland debut soon after, qualifying through his grandmother from Greenock.

He is now a favourite to make Andy Farrell's Lions squad, and short odds to make the Test team. While he's keeping his feet on the ground, Tuipulotu admits a Lions spot is a massive target for him.

"When I arrived [at Glasgow] I couldn't even imagine that four years later or whatever, I could be in contention to possibly go on this tour," Tuipulotu said.

"But things have worked out however they've worked out. Obviously, for myself, it is one of my goals. I want to be a Lion.

"That's something I want to do. But I know how to get there is what I did last year, literally taking it one game at a time and focusing on that. I know when the big games roll around, I'll have the confidence to play well in the big games.

"I feel like that will put me in good stead to hopefully get selected. But it's so far down the track that my next focus in terms of international rugby is the autumn."

Tuipulotu was one of Glasgow’s standout operators on the road to the United Rugby Championship title last season and he has started this season in the same barnstorming fashion.

He was a powerhouse in Glasgow's 42-10 win over Benetton on Friday night. He will step back on to the international stage when Scotland host Fiji, South Africa, Portugal and Australia in November.

"We've got a big task there with South Africa and stuff like that," Tuipulotu said. "That [Lions tour] being at the end of the season, it's in the back of my mind, but it is one of my goals. I don't want to shy away from that."

And would it be extra special because the tour is in Australia?

"It would be the biggest thing ever," he added. "I don't want this to sound weird, but I believe in God and I believe in all these things lining up for me since I've got to Scotland.

"I believe that's one of the things lined up. I would love to have an opportunity to go over there and play them with a bit of unfinished business.

"I left Australia, to be honest, a little bit angry. I don't have the same anger, but I still have that same competitiveness to want to go back there and play them. It would be unreal."