Tom Pearson (rugby union, born 1999)

Tom Pearson
Date of birth (1999-10-26) 26 October 1999 (age 25)
Place of birthHereford, England
Height1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight114 kg (251 lb; 17 st 13 lb)
SchoolDean Close School
UniversityCardiff Metropolitan University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Current team Northampton Saints
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018–2021 Cardiff Metropolitan 42 (0)
2021–2023 London Irish 39 (50)
2023– Northampton Saints 15 (25)
Correct as of 19 January 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2023– England 1 (0)
Correct as of 19 January 2024

Tom Pearson (born 26 October 1999) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Premiership Rugby club Northampton Saints and the England national team.[1]

Early life

Pearson began playing rugby at six years old at his local rugby club in Bromyard, Herefordshire,[2] before going on to play for Luctonians, also in Herefordshire.[3][4] He attended Moor Park Prep, Dean Close School and Cardiff Metropolitan University where he represented the first team. Pearson played 42 times for the university across both the local Welsh league and the BUCS Super Rugby competition.[5]

Club career

Pearson had been a member of the Gloucester academy but was released as a teenager.[6] He signed for London Irish on 21 June 2021.[5] He made his senior club debut away to Exeter Chiefs on 23 October 2021 and was named Player of the Match in an Irish win.[7][8]

On 8 February 2022 Pearson was called up by coach Eddie Jones to train with England during the 2022 Six Nations Championship.[8][9] Pearson scored his first try for Irish as they beat Bristol Bears on 11 February 2022.[10] In the 2022–23 season Pearson was named as both Premiership Rugby's Breakthrough player of the year and as the Rugby Players' Association's young player of the season.[11]

In June 2023 London Irish encountered financial issues and it was announced that Pearson would join Northampton Saints for the 2023–24 season.[11] Later that month he was selected by England coach Steve Borthwick for a training camp preparing for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[12] On 5 August Pearson made his Test debut starting in a warm-up defeat against Wales. So far he has been a solid player for the Saints and has made his mark on the 2023-24 season. [13]

Personal life

Pearson attended a boarding school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire from Year nine with his twin brother Will Pearson, who also played for Luctonians.[4] He was in Tower House and also played 1XI Cricket.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "Tom Pearson profile". Itsrugby. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  2. ^ Tom Pearson on Archers Rugby (video). Cardif Met Sport TV. 24 May 2021. Event occurs at 0.20. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  3. ^ "England's stunning swoop on Cardiff Met kids explained as Eddie Jones leaves no stone unturned". Wales Online. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  4. ^ a b Purewal, Nick (2 March 2023). "Tom Pearson interview: London Irish star hails 'big mentality shift' in Premiership play-off race". Evening Standard. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Tom Pearson joins London Irish senior academy". London Irish. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  6. ^ Morgan, Charlie (3 August 2023). "Tom Pearson does not play like an English flanker – but he is about to become an England one". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  7. ^ Collings, Simon (22 October 2021). "London Irish hand flanker Tom Pearson his competitive debut in Exeter Chiefs clash". Evening Standard. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Tom Pearson: London Irish back-rower signs senior professional contract". BBC Sport. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  9. ^ Schofield, Daniel; Coles, Ben (8 February 2022). "Joe Launchbury and Tom Pearson called up to England's Six Nations squad". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  10. ^ "Premiership: Bristol Bears 32-49 London Irish - Exiles stun hosts with dazzling second half". BBC Sport. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Tom Pearson: Northampton Saints sign ex-London Irish back-rower". BBC Sport. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  12. ^ Cantillon, Michael (30 June 2023). "England's Steve Borthwick confirms Owen Farrell as Rugby World Cup captain; 14 players added to training squad". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  13. ^ Griffiths, Gareth (5 August 2023). "Wales 20-9 England: Warren Gatland's side defeat disappointing England in warm-up". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
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