Keen to return: Tom Court
Ulster loosehead Tom Court admits he was disappointed to be overlooked by Ireland for the opening two rounds of the 2013 Six Nations Championship.
Court, who has been in good form for Ulster, was criticised in an Irish jersey after a performance when he was asked to fill in at tighthead prop.
And it seems that showing counted against him as his place in the matchday 23 recently went the way of Dave Kilcoyne and Declan Fitzpatrick.
"The way I was playing I thought I was in with a good shout but they went with the other guys," Court told BBC Sport, with an opportunity to return possible should Cian Healy receive a suspension for his alleged stamp on England's Dan Cole.
"If they require me to come in, I'm playing well enough to be there."
Speaking of his showing at tighthead prop in the Twickenham defeat last year, Court says he now has extra confidence should he be called to face Scotland at Murrayfield on February 24.
"I was the only prop on the bench last year and I didn't have enough time under my belt as a tighthead," he added.
"I don't want that game against England to be my last cap or my final memory of playing for Ireland.
"There are two props among the replacements now so guys can focus on their specialist positions.
"Obviously, I would be playing loose-head this time where I've played most of my rugby and I should be more comfortable."
Comments
Jhamer25 says...
If no one saw the rabo match of ulster vs ospreys you would have known he played tight head and again just like the england game he got demolished, this time by ryan bevington who i think is also very unlucky not to be in the welsh team. But props are where our strengths are. But he is only 24 and i'm sure he will cuase th english, french,scots, azzuri and ireland much trouble in the future.
If you guys don't know who he is then keep an eye on him. he is the looshead at ospreys = A future star.
Posted 20:23 13th February 2013
melkdave says...
Considering C.Healy is likely to get a ban ,its no surprise really that T.Court will get a phone call from DK asking him to join the squad .Have to say his form has been pretty good as a loosehead.
Posted 16:34 13th February 2013
Norm says...
Court is a good loosehead scrumager, he is somewhat more limited on the other side as we found out painfully last year at Twickenham. I say we found out, because the guy himself knew and acknowledges that tighthead is not his stronger side. That being said, as an Ulster fan and an Ireland fan my heart lies with Court but I cannot help but be a little hopeful about the encouraging signs being shown by Kilcoyne
Posted 12:33 13th February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
"Alleged stamp". Love it. Re watched the alleged stamp on bbc sport over and over. I think the scrum half was waiting for the penalty as he could get the ball out but Coles leg was rising up probably clinically. Healey saw Coles leg up and the stamp did lower Coles leg to further free the 9 to pass the ball. Which he then did. After the stamp he rucked Coles leg back but it was not one motion. It can only be described as a stamp. 5 weeks. Cole probably knows he was asking for it as the rising leg was not a mistake.
Posted 12:22 13th February 2013
dodgyrog says...
been in great form for Ulster, probably should start, depending on the lenght of Healy ban
Posted 10:45 13th February 2013
TurtyTree says...
I think Court has had a tough time in the Ireland jersey but has looked in much improved form at Ulster this year - I hope he gets a shot at redemption from Uncle Deccie!
Posted 09:55 13th February 2013
Bren says...
good to see Court back in green.
Posted 09:55 13th February 2013