Born in Cornwall, scrum half Kessell joined the Saints in the summer of 2015 having started his professional career at Cornish Pirates. Tom first joined the West Country club as a youngster in 1995 before signing a professional contract in 2011.
His performances throughout the 2014/15 season led to The Rugby Paper naming him the best scrum-half in the Championship. He was also called up to the Championship XV that beat Canada 28-23 at Sixways in November 2014, the same month in which he made his 100th appearance for Cornish Pirates.
He had played in the first team at Cornish Pirates for four years before he signed for the Saints.
During his time in the East Midlands, has been competing for the number nine shirt with club captain Lee Dickson and Kahn Fotuali’I and his performances in matches such as the East Midlands derby have shown signs of his potential.
After racking up 22 appearances for Northampton Saints since his debut against Glasgow Warriors in 2016, Kessel confirmed his departure from the club in June 2018.
In 2018 he joined Coventry where he made 41 appearances before, nearing the end of the 2019/20 Premiership campaign, he firstly signed a short-term deal with Bristol Bears to conclude that season, and then a one-year contract with them for 2020/21.
After 16 appearances for Bristol, he left the club to rejoin Cornish Pirates in June 2021.
Career
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Northampton Saints Scrum Half |
2015 - 2018 |
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Coventry Rugby Scrum Half |
2018 - 2020 |
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Bristol Bears Scrum Half |
2020 - 2021 |
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Cornish Pirates Scrum Half |
2021 - 2023 |
