Tom Homer (born 1 April 1990) is an English former rugby union player who played at centre, wing and fullback for London Irish in Premiership Rugby. He was a member of the Grand Slam winning England U18 side in 2008 and was a member of the England U20 squad in January 2008.[citation needed]
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| Date of birth | 1 April 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Salisbury, Wiltshire, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 91 kg (14 st 5 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Milton Abbey School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Career
editHomer started playing rugby at Andover RFC in Hampshire before moving to Salisbury RFC in Wiltshire. Homer attended Norman Court Preparatory School and then Milton Abbey School in Dorset, where as a flyhalf, he was captain of rugby at both establishments.[citation needed]
England
editHomer was a regular for England at under-18 and 20 levels and is the all time leading scorer in the IRB Junior World Championships with 118 points.[2]
London Irish
editOn leaving school, Homer signed to London Irish's academy. He signed a professional contract with the club in June 2008, making his debut against Worcester Warriors and scored his first tries for the club in their victory over Saracens on 23 November 2008.[3] (during his debut, the speedy winger made an immediate impact scoring two tries against Saracens as an 18-year-old). He went on to score 51 points in 13 appearances that season. He continued to be an important member of the London Irish first-team squad over the next two season and in December 2010 signed a two-year deal with the Exiles.[2]
Homer also kicked two penalties in the Exiles' 38–17 win over Worcester on 15 March 2009,[4] and kicked eight from eight (six penalties and two conversions) against Northampton Saints on 22 March 2009.[5][6] At the start of the 2012-13 Premiership campaign Homer stated he wanted to be known for more than just his kicking and was looking to get more involved and to use the opportunity of the attacking blueprint of coach Brian Smith to do so.[7] Homer cites former England centre Mike Catt as a major influence.[8]
Bath
editOn 23 January 2015, London Irish announced that Homer would leave the club at the end of the 2014-15 season on expiry of his contract.[9] On 11 February 2015, Homer officially signed for Bath with immediate effect, following the departure of Gavin Henson to Bristol Rugby.[10]
Return to London Irish
editIn July 2020 it was confirmed Homer had rejoined former club London Irish.[11] In February 2021 it was announced Homer would leave London Irish to join French Pro D2 side Montauban ahead of the 2021–22 season.[12] However, it was later confirmed he had retired with immediate effect.[13]
References
edit- ^ Tom Homer acknowledges support of Andover RFC with donation of his first England shirt
- ^ a b "Thomas David William Homer". ESPN scrum. 12 February 2024.
- ^ "London Irish 27-14 Saracens". 23 November 2008 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "London Irish 38-17 Worcester". 15 March 2009 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "London Irish 32-27 Northampton". 22 March 2009 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Tom Homer leads London Irish to victory". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018.
- ^ Homer, Tom. "Much more than a goal kicker". Living Rugby. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
- ^ "Homer revels in Premiership life". 18 March 2009 – via news.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "London Irish utility back Tom Homer will leave the club at end of season". Sky Sports. 23 January 2015.
- ^ "Bath sign London Irish utility back Tom Homer". Sky Sports. 11 February 2015.
- ^ "Tom Homer rejoins London Irish | 28th July 2020 | News". London Irish. 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- ^ "HOMER SET TO DEPART AT END OF SEASON | 11th February 2021 | News". London Irish. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
- ^ "London Irish full-back Homer retires". BBC Sport. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.