During the mid 1990s, a group of Tongans made the decision to play their club rugby in Wales, with a significant number of them making their home in the country.
The likes of Kuli Faletau, Fe'ao Vunipola, and Katilimoni Tuipulotu made significant contributions to the game in this country on the field of play, but they also fostered another generation of player who would go on to play international rugby.
Taulupe Faletau's exploits need no introduction, while Billy and Mako Vunipola have gone on to have hugely successful international careers in the white of England.
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Now it is time for the next generation of stars, with Carwyn Tuipulotu already making an impact at the Scarlets and seen by many as a Wales ace of the future, while his cousin, Wales Women tighthead Sisilia Tuipulotu, has been making waves during the Six Nations.
One who hasn't become a household name as of yet, but is expected to hit the heights, is England U18s hooker Kepueli Tuipulotu, who hails from Pontypool. He is the son of former Dragons and Worcester centre Sione Tuipulotu, and little brother to Wales international Sisilia.
The 17-year-old is currently in sixth form at the prestigious Harrow School, and is also a member of the London Irish academy who have produced some of the best players in Britain and Ireland.
Tuipulotu has taken the U18s Six Nations by storm with a phenomenal, power-packed try in England's 56-14 victory over Ireland U20s at the weekend. The barnstorming hooker exploded through two tackles before running in from 50 metres out, leaving a trail of would-be tacklers in his wake.
Despite representing England at age-grade level, he is not tied to the Red Rose and remains eligible to represent his home country.
WalesOnline understands the Welsh Rugby Union's Exiles programme is monitoring his progress, as they are other Wales-qualified players performing either across the border or overseas. They are trying their best to get him to commit his future to Wales upon the conclusion of his studies but will face competition from the Rugby Football Union.
It is impossible for Welsh rugby to compete with the educational offers some of Wales' youth receive from certain schools in England. But what they can do is work with them, fostering a strong rapport with the player in question in the hope he or she pledges their allegiance to Wales at senior level.
Wales will desperately hope Tuipulotu throws his hat into the Wales ring in the future.
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