Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu and brother reunited with Greenock gran in surprise Murrayfield visit

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu and his brother Mosese have been reunited with their Greenock granny during a surprise visit to Murrayfield.

There were emotional scenes at the national rugby stadium in Edinburgh when Jaqueline Thomson flew from Australia to surprise the pair in the home dressing room.

Tuipulotu, who will skipper Gregor Townsend’s side against the Wallabies this weekend, was born and raised in Melbourne but qualified for his adopted rugby nation through his Scottish gran.

He believed she would never be able to see him play at Murrayfield due to her age and health but with the help of Skyscanner and Scottish Rugby, Ms Thomson was able to fly ‘home’ to Scotland for the first time in 12 years.

Sione and Mosese Tuipulotu were surprised by their gran at Murrayfield Stadium. SNS Group

She surprised her grandsons ahead of this weekend’s games against Chile and Australia.

The 77-year-old, who now lives in Australia but is originally from Greenock, has been delighting fans online, replying to messages and revelling in her grandson’s captaincy.

Those fans may now be able to spot her cheering in the crowd at the weekend’s Scotland A match against Chile on Saturday before Townsend’s men take on Australia on Sunday.

Travel comparison app Skyscanner secretly planned the reunion, securing Jaqueline’s flights and accommodation so she could make the journey to see her grandsons in action at this weekend’s games, alongside Sione and Mosese’s Mum.

After the surprise meeting, Sione said: “I came into Murrayfield thinking I was doing a promo for Skyscanner, and then my gran is sitting there! It caught me off guard. It’s not something I thought would be possible.

“I’m over the moon and feeling so happy about everything. Mosese has always been my gran’s favourite and it’s so cool she will get to see the two of us play this week.

“I’m really looking forward to running out in front of a packed out stadium and then looking up into the stands during the anthems to see my mum and gran. It’ll be so special.

“My gran is such a character and is probably where we get most of our personality from.

“I’m so happy that everyone will get to meet her and put a face to everything.

“I’m so grateful to Skyscanner for organising everything. I’d given up hope of my gran coming to see my play in Scotland so for it now to be a reality is just unbelievable.”

Jaqueline said: “I’ve had such an amazing week. It’s been incredible to have Skyscanner fly me back home and surprise the boys. They were both so stunned.  

“I’m excited for this weekend – getting to watch my grandsons play for Scotland and sing Flower of Scotland with them will be so special.”

Andre Le Masurier, global head of Brand & Creative at Skyscanner, spoke about the reunion: “We know rugby fans love to travel to support their team and experience the game first-hand, so we’re thrilled to be able to use our app and arrange Sione’s gran’s flights and accommodation.

“You’ll be hard pushed on Sunday to find anyone who’s travelled further to see the Scotland team play. We’re huge fans of Sione and his brother Mosese and it has been our immense privilege to reunite them with their gran for the Autumn Nations.”