Gregor Townsend has confirmed that he has been in touch with Mosese Tuipulotu, to encourage him to follow his older brother, Sione, in moving north to join Glasgow Warriors when his contract with the Waratahs runs out at the end of the current Super Rugby season.
Newspaper reports in Australia claim that the 21-year-old centre has been offered in the region of $225,000 [approximately £125,000] per year on a multi-year deal by Scottish Rugby, which is a three-fold increase on his current salary.
“I was asked by Glasgow to have a chat with him,” Townsend admitted. “I actually had a chat with him two years ago by mistake, because Sione had given his old mobile to him, and I phoned to chat to Sione and got him instead. So, we had a joke about that!
“He’s a player who is interesting one of the pro teams, and us in Scotland. Sione’s had such a great impact at Glasgow and with Scottish rugby, it’s wise of Scottish Rugby to follow up on someone of real potential.
“He’s a young player who has come back from a long absence with a knee injury, but he’s started the season really well for the Waratahs Academy and I think he’s in the 23 tomorrow for the game against the Hurricanes.”
Like his older brother, Tuipulotu qualifies to represent Scotland through a grandmother from Greenock. Last month, he was quoted as saying his focus was on trying to earn international recognition in Australia, but his sibling said at the time that he was not so sure.
“I’m not sure it’s that true, to be honest – I don’t know if they mixed up a couple if quotes or whatever,” said the Scotland star. “My brother dances to the beat of his own drum and while I’m over here he wants to do his thing, so that might be staying in Australia or might be coming over here. He holds his cards close to his chest.”
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