Tom Clarkson (rugby union)
| Birth name | Tommaso Clarkson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 22 February 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 124 kg (19.5 st; 273 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Blackrock College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Trinity College Dublin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Thomas Clarkson (born 22 February 2000), born Tommaso Clarkson, is an Irish rugby union player who plays for Leinster and Ireland. He plays as a prop.
Early life
[edit]Born in Dublin, Clarkson attended Blackrock College and won a Leinster Schools Rugby Senior Cup with the school in 2018, alongside fellow Leinster academy member Liam Turner. Clarkson's mother Nina Cafolla comes from a small town between Rome and Naples.[1] After leaving school, he joined Dublin University, the club representing Trinity College Dublin, in the amateur All-Ireland League.[2]
Leinster
[edit]Clarkson joined the Leinster academy ahead of the 2019–20 season.[3] He made his senior debut for the province on 29 August 2020 as a 63rd minute replacement for Michael Bent in their 28–10 derby victory against Ulster.[4][5]
Ireland
[edit]Ever-present as the team's tighthead prop, Clarkson was a key player for the Ireland under-20s team that won a grand slam during the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[2] He also represented the team at the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship, and was vice-captain of the side during the 2020 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, where they secured consecutive triple crown's,[6] though the tournament was cancelled with two rounds still to be played due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
At the start of the 2023/24 season, Clarkson turned down an offer to play for Italy whom he qualified to play for through his Italian mother.[1] Clarkson debuted for Ireland in the November 2024 Autumn Nations Series coming off the bench to replace Finlay Bealham in 22-19 win over Argentina.[8]
He was named on the bench for the opening round of the 2025 Six Nations to make his tournament debut.[9] In February 2025, he was named in the starting lineup for the first time for the fixture against Wales.[10]
Lions
[edit]In July 2025 Clarkson was called up to the Lions squad to provide additional front row cover for their 2025 tour of Australia.[11]
Honours
[edit]Blackrock College
[edit]- Leinster Schools Rugby Senior Cup:
- Winner (1): 2018
Ireland Under-20s
[edit]- Six Nations Under 20s Championship:
- Winner (1): 2019
- Grand Slam:
- Winner (1): 2019
- Triple Crown:
Leinster
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "'This year it's gone very well' - Italian call a distant memory for new Lion Thomas Clarkson". RTE. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Size not an issue for Ireland's scrum pillar Clarkson". The42. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Leinster Rugby Academy for 2019/20 Confirmed". Leinster Rugby. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Ed Byrne to captain Leinster Rugby for the first time". Leinster Rugby. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Leinster notch 23rd consecutive win as Ulster disappoint before semi-final". The42. 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "McCann And Ahern Lead Ireland Under-20s To Six-Try Victory". Irish Rugby Football Union. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Leinster backing 20-year-old prospect Clarkson to step up at tighthead prop". The42. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ Bradley, Jonathan. "Ireland edge past Argentina in Dublin thriller". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Ireland pick Prendergast at fly-half for England game". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ^ "Ireland Team Named To Face Wales In Cardiff". Ireland Rugby. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ "Prop Clarkson joins Lions as front row cover". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 July 2025.