Tom Court took the unconventional route to International rugby.
Born in Brisbane, Australia, Court’s first sporting passion was shotput, which he excelled at, earning trials for the Australian Olympic team in the process. Court only began playing rugby in 2004, stating that he only began the sport as a way to lose weight.
Court represented Manawatu, as well as Queensland before sealing his move to Ulster in 2006. Court didn’t count as a foreign player due to his grandfather, Patrick Carey, being born in Limerick. Court’s early Ulster form was impressive, enough to earn him a call up to the Irish A squad.
Court was selected for Ireland’s 2008 Churchill Cup squad, and, in 2009, was eventually selected for the senior squad-appearing as a substitute in each of Ireland’s six nations games in 2009. Court made his debut as a replacement for Marcus Horan in Ireland’s victory over Italy in the 2009 Six Nations. After 8 years with Ulster, Court moved on to London Irish in 2014.
The former Irish international continues to represent London Irish in the Championship and continues to be one of the best loosehead props in the competition despite being 36 years old.
Court retired from professional rugby at the end of the 2016-2017 season.
JW March 2017
Career
 |
Irish Wolfhounds Loosehead Prop |
2013 - present |
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Queensland Reds Loosehead Prop |
2004 - 2006 |
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Pertemps Bees Loosehead Prop |
2006 - 2007 |
 |
British & Irish Lions Loosehead Prop |
2013 - 2013 |
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Ireland Loosehead Prop |
2009 - 2013 |
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Ulster Rugby Loosehead Prop |
2006 - 2014 |
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London Irish Loosehead Prop |
2014 - 2017 |
