England rookie Tom Pearson signs his first senior Irish contract

Recent England squad pick Tom Pearson has signed his first senior professional contract with London Irish following a breakthrough debut year in which the academy back-rower made 18 appearances for the club and also caught the eye of Eddie Jones.   

A club statement read: “London Irish can confirm that Tom Pearson has signed a senior professional contract with the club. The young back row forward has made a stark impression with the London Irish first team this year, making 18 appearances in his first season with the club.

“A Cardiff Metropolitan University graduate, Pearson joined the senior academy at London Irish last June following his time with the BUCS side, making 28 appearances in the university Super Rugby league. 

“Pearson also appeared 14 times in the Welsh Championship during his time in Cardiff and was awarded a place in the BUCS Super Rugby team of the season 2019/20. He made his debut appearance in Irish’s first win of the 2021/22 season away to Exeter Chiefs, making the most tackles of the round with 25 in total and picking up the player of the match award.

“Off the back of his work as an Exile, Pearson was welcomed into Eddie Jones’ England training squad during the 2022 Six Nations period alongside fellow Exiles Ollie Hassell-Collins and Will Goodrick-Clarke.”

“Tom has seamlessly entered into professional rugby since his arrival at the beginning of the 2021/22 season,” said London Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney. “His developments are clear to see and we are looking forward to seeing him progress over the next few years in a London Irish shirt. He is a popular figure in the dressing room and with the supporters, and we are delighted that he has chosen to continue his journey with us.”

Pearson added: “I am thrilled to be staying with London Irish and I am grateful that Irish has afforded me the platform to express myself in a really exciting team. It’s been a great first season playing at the Brentford Community Stadium in front of all of the Irish supporters.

“Deciding to stay at the club was a no brainer for me as anywhere that I am enjoying my rugby is a great place to be. The future of this crop of players is very bright and I’m excited to be a part of that.”