Sione Tuipulotu expects to face a passionate USA team on Friday evening and the Scotland centre has vowed to meet that patriotism head-on in Washington.
Tuipulotu sat out the 73-12 win over Canada last weekend, but is expected to return as Gregor Townsend prepares to make wholesale changes for the second match of the four-game tour.
Townsend indicated previously more of his experienced players – the likes of Pierre Schoeman, Scott Cummings, Jamie Ritchie, Duhan van der Merwe and Tuipulotu – would come into the mix for Friday’s clash with the USA.
While the Glasgow centre admitted he hasn’t seen a lot of Scott Lawrence’s side, he has an idea of what to expect.
“I’ve never played them, I’ve just watched them on the laptops here,” Tuipulotu said.
“I think one thing everyone can say about Americans is they are very patriotic and passionate about their country so I’m expecting a passionate outfit and we’ll match that.”
Scotland will also have to contend with the heat of the US capital when they run out on Friday. It is expected to be somewhere in the region of 30 degrees by kick-off at 6.30pm (local time, 11.30pm UK time).
But for Tuipulotu, who grew up in Australia, it has been a welcome break from the weather he’s used to in Glasgow.
“The heat is a real factor out here but I’m loving it, it’s a nice little mix-up from the rugby we’ve been playing back in Glasgow so it’s nice to be back in the heat,” he said.
The 27-year-old continued: “It’s always a factor, but it’s a challenge the team is ready for.
“I thought last week was a great step up, it was 29 or 30 degrees in Canada, so the boys are prepared well and now it’s our turn to contribute.”
The centre also praised a new-look squad for a professional performance as Canada were dispatched in style.
He said; “It is cool to sit in the stands and watch 10 boys who have worked really hard in their own clubs and to go out and put in that performance, I thought it was really impressive.”
An opportunity to win further international honours would usually be a significant moment, but for Tuipulotu, it is just the latest major event to tick off.
“It was a massive month,” he said, reflecting on the past four weeks where – in no particular order - helped Glasgow to URC glory, got engaged to partner Lara and became a dad to TJ.
Asked about fatherhood, Tuipulotu said: “It’s amazing. You listen to all the other boys’ stories about their first born and you don’t really know how it feels until you are in the hotspot yourself.”
He added: "I am missing my fiancée and TJ massively."
Turning his attentions back to rugby, Tuipulotu hopes Glasgow’s title win can be the catalyst for success with Scotland.
“I’ve never won anything in my life, at least professionally, so to finally do it I’m just hungry to keep winning,” he said.
“I hope that can be the start of something in the Scotland squad.
“It’s massive to show we can win in those big games. I know that’s where we’ve been doubted in the past.”
Gregor Townsend will name his Scotland team to face USA on Wednesday.
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