Ireland’s Tom Court is glad he took Ulster gamble
Ireland prop Tom Court expressed his delight at how his career has developed since joining Ulster in a move that was a considerable gamble.
The Australian born player only took up rugby at the age of 24 and his meteoric rise has surprised many including the prop.
Speaking in an interview with the Irish Times, Court said, "When I first came to Ireland I wouldn’t have rated myself very highly. I’d only been playing for 15 or 16 months. I regret a little bit not coming to the sport earlier, but it couldn’t have gone
any better — it’s been a dream.
The Ulster prop will now win his 11th cap for Ireland as he prepares to face Samoa on Saturday 13 November.
Court admitted that he took a serious risk in moving to Ireland and said, “You have to take things as they are. I gave up a fairly high-paying job in a managerial position in Australia and a contract offer from the [Queensland] Reds to come to Ulster.”
Since moving from the Reds, the prop has made 56 caps for Ulster and has become a crucial player for the Irish province up front.
However, Court admitted that in the beginning he had his concerns as to whether he had made the right decision.
"It was a massive gamble and at first things went slowly and I wasn’t playing much for Ulster. I had doubts. It was a process of continual improvement. The priority was getting the scrum right, and then adding to my game,” said the Irish prop.
Court admitted that he was keen to make up for lost time and believes that he is getting used to the demands of international rugby. “I feel like I’m getting better each year, but it’s only in the last six months that I’ve started to feel comfortable at
this level. I realise that if I get my head in the right place I can make an impact."
Tags: