Tom Court leaving?

[rocky]

Had really hoped he'd stay but completely understand his decision.

At key moments and on the final whistle after big matches many of the photographers would zero in on Tom. Always good for the shot of pure passion in what had been achieved. Heart on his slieve.

I wish him and his family every success in the future.

Absolutely spot on LK. A genuinely modest man and one of significant intellect as well. I think he will do very well in the so-called Premiership and best wishes to him.

[Red]

Great servant and wish him all the very best. From his and our side I think it's a natural parting. He'd be mad to turn down a 3 year contract at his age. Ulster aren't in a position to offer that and it seems Irish are.

You never know, Irish might have got them selves a gem. Tom of course came to rugby a lot later than most professionals so the body might have another good few years left in him. As a team looking at progressing to winning titles but on a budget below the Toulons of this world we simply can't take that chance.

As an aside I think I read somewhere that the IRFU are keen to use the Exiles more, might have been Indiana's post in the International section? Am I the only one who thinks that'll be great for Irish rugby? Properly used it might give us 4.5 teams to grow, blood and progress players. Not only that, there's a perceived view that inter Provence transfers don't happen as it risks doubling up a teams loss / gain. You lose a player, and if he turns out to be good then they'll help drive the other Provence to compete against you. There'd be no such rivalry with London Irish.

[Gael]

Always was a fan, always will be.

[ruckover]

London Irish fans are ecstatic on their messageboard and rightly so. Shows what high regard he's held in, not just here, but around Europe.

[ding dong2u]

Very sorry to see him go but fully understand why a 3 year contract would be difficult to turn down. He'll be a big asset to those pricks at Reading and a sad loss to Ulster. The Big Man always gave 100% for us so best of luck to him and the family

[rave on]

good luck and all the best big tom

Forever an ulster man

[big mervyn]

Used to regularly see Tom out for a stroll with his family when I was breakfasting on the Lisburn Road on Sunday mornings.

A gentleman and a fixture in this Ulster team for a good few years now. Like everybody else, I wish him and his family all the best for the future.

[Snipe Watson]

There is no way that Tom was getting a 3 year contract out of Humph, so it's a very good move for him.

[againstthehead]

Any possibility that we're not allowed another tighthead so we're after a world-class loose head?

[Russ]

Yes.

[themezz]

Always liked Big Tom, especially when he learned to present after a tackle, We will miss him on the pitch, but I think CB has been superb this year and can step up.

Best of luck to him

[Scholar]

I have always said rugby players' shirt numbers rank the team in terms of intelligence. Laughed my head off when I heard Tom happened to be in Australia at the right time with a pair of boots and a toothbrush. Knew his Lions history ! Feel the love, Tom.

[rocky]

Excellent, Scholar!!!

[pythagoras]

I think I read somewhere that the IRFU are keen to use the Exiles more, might have been Indiana's post in the International section? Am I the only one who thinks that'll be great for Irish rugby? Properly used it might give us 4.5 teams to grow, blood and progress players.

How would this work?
Do the IRFU have any more influence at LI than at any other English club?
The only way I could see this working would be if the IRFU was contributing
financially to LI and in return was able to have some influence over the club as they do over the provinces.
And I don't think the IRFU has the money for that, nor would I think the RFU would allow it.
Not to mention that if I were an English rugby supporter this would annoy me at least as much
as the antics of the PRL annoys us.

[Russ]

maybe their new backer is a Mr R McIlroy?