London Irish prop Tom Court has opened up about the stress of being a professional rugby player.
Court, who played as a tighthead prop at Ulster but switched to loosehead in recent years, didn’t make Joe Schmidt’s 31-man squad for the World Cup.
But Court’s main concern is for his friend and Ulster team-mate Andrew Trimble, who was perhaps the most high-profile player to miss out on selection.
Trimble, Ireland’s Player of the Year in 2014, has struggled with injury all season and, despite playing 80 minutes for Ulster last week was deemed too much of a risk by Schmidt.
If you think pro-rugby is stress-free, try training for 4 yrs (or a lifetime) to be told 1 game/versatility cost them a RWC spot. Brutal!
— Tom Court (@TomCourt1) September 2, 2015
Writing in his column in the Belfast Telegraph, Court says Trimble will be devastated by the decision but is backing his friend to bounce back.
“I think what’s happened to Andrew Trimble is very harsh, but, of course, you just can’t take everybody.
“He’ll be devastated, but I think he’ll cope just fine. I’m sure there’s justification for it but it’s the age-old thing and I’ve been in a similar situation, as so many others have in their careers.
“I’m just gutted for him as his career goal was to try and make another World Cup. He was really hoping to get back and bring that great consistency to his game in time to make it.”
Court goes on to say that Trimble could yet make the squad if any one of a number of players suffers an injury in Saturday’s final warm-up match against England.
