Thomas Clarkson

A tighthead prop who has steadily worked his way into the Ireland set-up, Thomas Clarkson was born on 22 February 2000 and has become a dependable presence in the front row for Leinster. His progress through the province's pathway earned him senior international recognition, and he made his Ireland debut off the bench during the 2024 Autumn Nations Series, packing down against Argentina. The cornerstone of any tighthead's game is the scrum, and Clarkson's value begins there: an anchor in the set-piece whose job is to provide a stable platform and hold his own against the heaviest opposition. Around the field he contributes the unglamorous but essential work of a modern prop — hitting rucks, making his tackles and getting through a heavy workload in the tight exchanges. His standing in the game was underlined in 2025 when he was called into the British & Irish Lions squad as injury cover, a notable mark of recognition for a forward still establishing himself at Test level. With Leinster he has been part of a squad competing for honours in the United Rugby Championship and in Europe.