Tom Palmer (rugby player)
Encyclopedia
Tom Palmer is an English rugby union
footballer. He is a lock for Stade Français in the Top 14.
. He moved to Edinburgh
with his family, where he played for Boroughmuir School until he was 16 and for the Boroughmuir
club itself. After his A levels, Palmer deferred his place at the Leeds University
for a year while he went to New Zealand
. He spent 18 months at Otago Boys' High School
, where he played for New Zealand Schoolboys
before returning to the UK to start a degree course in physics at the University of Leeds
.
in his first game for the University of Leeds
, he joined Leeds Tykes in 1997 and played for Leeds Tykes
U19s during his first year at college. He also won selection for the Scotland U19 and U21 sides. He then studied part time when he was drafted into the first team squad in September 1998. He became the Tykes first England international and the club's second longest serving player after Mike Shelley
.
Palmer made his debut against Blackheath on 2 September 1998, making a total of 10 appearances for the Tykes during his first season when they finished in 6th place in National Division 2
. Palmer became a regular first team player during the 1999–2000 season
, missing only 4 games throughout the season. The most notable game for Palmer was against Worcester in November 1999 when he scored his first try in the 20–9 win at Headingley
.
In the 2000–01 season
the Tykes finished top of Division 1
. Palmer again played an important role in the side, making a total 20 appearances and scoring 8 tries. In the Tetley’s Bitter Cup competition in October Palmer was one of nine try scorers who helped the Tykes to a magnificent 100–0 win over Morley.
In the Tykes' first season in the Premiership, Palmer began in his now regular central role, making 15 appearances, however during a game between England A
and Wales A
Palmer broke his leg. The injury meant that the loss against Northampton Saints
in March was the last game he featured in during the season.
Palmer became one of four players to have ever played 100 games for the Tykes, he also became the club's youngest captain and collected a Powergen Cup winners medal.
Palmer joined London Wasps
after Leeds Tykes
were relegated from the Premiership, overall, he made 188 appearances at Leeds between 1998 and 2006 scoring 20 tries. At Wasps he quickly became first choice lock, winning the 2006–07 Heineken Cup and 2007–08 Guinness Premiership. Palmer signed for Stade Français in the summer of 2009.
squad whilst still playing in National Division One
and was then rewarded with a place on the Summer tour to North America in 2001
and has been a regular A member ever since. After appearing in the midweek sides, he won his first senior cap as a replacement for Steve Borthwick
in the final 10 minutes of England’s victory over the US Eagles
in San Francisco on 16 June 2001.
Palmer was back to full fitness for the start of the 2002–2003 season
and did not miss a game for the Tykes during the entire Zurich Premiership campaign. In the summer of 2003 he was selected for England’s summer tour to New Zealand
and then joined up with the squad for the 2003 Churchill Cup
in Canada, only to pick up a serious knee injury that took six months to put right. In March 2004, he was vice captain to Mike Catt
in the England A side narrowly defeated 22–26 by France A
.
After playing in the 2007 Six Nations
, Palmer made the training squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup
. He did not make the final 30 man squad
.
He played for England Saxons
as they defeated Ireland A on 1 February 2008. In the summer of 2010, Palmer started as England defeated Australia
in Sydney.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
footballer. He is a lock for Stade Français in the Top 14.
Early career
He started playing mini rugby at age five with the Barnet club and subsequently spent his early years in KenyaKenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. He moved to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
with his family, where he played for Boroughmuir School until he was 16 and for the Boroughmuir
Boroughmuir RFC
Boroughmuir RFC is a rugby union football club in the Scottish Rugby Union. Founded in 1919 and admitted to the SRU in 1939, it was originally restricted to former pupils of Boroughmuir High School. The badge is derived from Boroughmuir High School and they acquired it in 1913. Although it has lost...
club itself. After his A levels, Palmer deferred his place at the Leeds University
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
for a year while he went to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. He spent 18 months at Otago Boys' High School
Otago Boys' High School
Otago Boys' High School is one of New Zealand's oldest boys' secondary schools, located in Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand. It was founded on 3 August 1863 and moved to its present site in 1885. The main building was designed by Robert Lawson and is regarded as one of the finest Gothic revival...
, where he played for New Zealand Schoolboys
New Zealand national schoolboy rugby union team
The New Zealand Schoolboys rugby union team is composed of secondary school students that aims to help them achieve higher honours. New Zealand Schoolboys brings players on to the international scene early. Many of the players go on to play for other international teams and some have gone on to...
before returning to the UK to start a degree course in physics at the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
.
Domestic career
Spotted by Phil DaviesPhil Davies
Phil Davies is a Welsh former rugby union footballer of the 1980s and 90s.-Rugby career:Davies played his club rugby for Llanelli and enjoyed a distinguished 46 cap career for Wales between 1985 and 1995...
in his first game for the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
, he joined Leeds Tykes in 1997 and played for Leeds Tykes
Leeds Tykes
Leeds Carnegie is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, currently playing in the RFU Championship. In recent years, they have bounced between the Premiership and the second-level National Division One, now known as the RFU Championship; they were either promoted or relegated...
U19s during his first year at college. He also won selection for the Scotland U19 and U21 sides. He then studied part time when he was drafted into the first team squad in September 1998. He became the Tykes first England international and the club's second longest serving player after Mike Shelley
Mike Shelley
Mike Shelley is a former rugby union player who became the longest serving player in the history of Leeds Tykes rugby club, having joined them in 1996 from West Hartlepool...
.
Palmer made his debut against Blackheath on 2 September 1998, making a total of 10 appearances for the Tykes during his first season when they finished in 6th place in National Division 2
National League 1
National League 1, , is the third level of domestic rugby union competition in England.This is the lowest level of the English rugby union league system which is nationwide...
. Palmer became a regular first team player during the 1999–2000 season
National Division One 1999-2000
The Dunbar Premiership Second Division was the second-tier rugby union club competition in England from 1997-98 until 1999-2000. This division is now known as the RFU Championship. Rotherham, as Champions, won promotion to the Zurich Premiership...
, missing only 4 games throughout the season. The most notable game for Palmer was against Worcester in November 1999 when he scored his first try in the 20–9 win at Headingley
Headingley Stadium
Headingley Stadium is a sporting complex in the Leeds suburb of Headingley in West Yorkshire, England. It is the home of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, rugby league team Leeds Rhinos and rugby union team Leeds Carnegie ....
.
In the 2000–01 season
National Division One 2000-01
National Division One is a rugby union club competition in England. The Leeds Tykes won the 2000-01 season competition to gain promotion to the Zurich Premiership. Orrell and Waterloo were relegated to National Division Two for the 2001-02 season.-Table:...
the Tykes finished top of Division 1
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
. Palmer again played an important role in the side, making a total 20 appearances and scoring 8 tries. In the Tetley’s Bitter Cup competition in October Palmer was one of nine try scorers who helped the Tykes to a magnificent 100–0 win over Morley.
In the Tykes' first season in the Premiership, Palmer began in his now regular central role, making 15 appearances, however during a game between England A
England Saxons
England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A...
and Wales A
Wales A national rugby union team
The Wales A team are the second national rugby union team behind the Welsh national side. They have not played a game since April 2002.On the 20th February 2003, the Welsh Rugby Union were given permission to withdraw from the "A" team Six Nations Championship, citing costs as the primary reason...
Palmer broke his leg. The injury meant that the loss against Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
in March was the last game he featured in during the season.
Palmer became one of four players to have ever played 100 games for the Tykes, he also became the club's youngest captain and collected a Powergen Cup winners medal.
Palmer joined London Wasps
London Wasps
London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
after Leeds Tykes
Leeds Tykes
Leeds Carnegie is an English rugby union club, based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, currently playing in the RFU Championship. In recent years, they have bounced between the Premiership and the second-level National Division One, now known as the RFU Championship; they were either promoted or relegated...
were relegated from the Premiership, overall, he made 188 appearances at Leeds between 1998 and 2006 scoring 20 tries. At Wasps he quickly became first choice lock, winning the 2006–07 Heineken Cup and 2007–08 Guinness Premiership. Palmer signed for Stade Français in the summer of 2009.
International career
He earned a place in the England AEngland Saxons
England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A...
squad whilst still playing in National Division One
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
and was then rewarded with a place on the Summer tour to North America in 2001
2001 England rugby union tour of North America
-Matches:-Forwards:...
and has been a regular A member ever since. After appearing in the midweek sides, he won his first senior cap as a replacement for Steve Borthwick
Steve Borthwick
Stephen William "Steve" Borthwick is an English rugby union footballer who plays lock for Saracens F.C....
in the final 10 minutes of England’s victory over the US Eagles
United States national rugby union team
USA Rugby's men's national rugby union team, nicknamed the Eagles, represents the United States in the sport of rugby union. The Eagles are currently ranked 17th by the IRB World Rankings. Their highest ranking was from November 2, 2006 – September 10, 2007 at the 14th position...
in San Francisco on 16 June 2001.
Palmer was back to full fitness for the start of the 2002–2003 season
2002–03 Zurich Premiership
The 2002-03 Zurich Premiership was the 16th season of the top flight of the English domestic rugby union competitions.The Zurich Championship which had been competed for in seasons 2000–01 and 2001–02 was dropped from this season.-Table:...
and did not miss a game for the Tykes during the entire Zurich Premiership campaign. In the summer of 2003 he was selected for England’s summer tour to New Zealand
2003 England rugby union tour of Australasia
-Matches:...
and then joined up with the squad for the 2003 Churchill Cup
2003 Churchill Cup
The 2003 Churchill Cup was held between 14 June and 28 June 2003 in Vancouver, Canada. It was the inaugural year of the Churchill Cup. Three rugby union teams took part in the men's competition: Canada, England A and the USA....
in Canada, only to pick up a serious knee injury that took six months to put right. In March 2004, he was vice captain to Mike Catt
Mike Catt
Michael John "Mike" Catt OBE is a South African-born former English rugby union footballer who played for London Irish and Bath. He earned 75 international caps for England and played in three World Cup Finals, in 1995, 2003 and 2007...
in the England A side narrowly defeated 22–26 by France A
France A national rugby union team
The France A national rugby union team, known previously as France XV national rugby union team and France B national rugby union team, are the second national rugby union team behind the French national side.-History:...
.
After playing in the 2007 Six Nations
2007 Six Nations Championship
The 2007 RBS 6 Nations Championship was the eighth series of the rugby union Six Nations Championship. Including the previous incarnations as the Home Nations and Five Nations, this was the 113th series of the northern hemisphere rugby union championship...
, Palmer made the training squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
. He did not make the final 30 man squad
2007 Rugby World Cup squads
This article lists the official squads for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. Each of the twenty nations was required to confirm their 30-man squad by 14 August...
.
He played for England Saxons
England Saxons
England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A...
as they defeated Ireland A on 1 February 2008. In the summer of 2010, Palmer started as England defeated Australia
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
in Sydney.