Wallabies' woe: Court (second right) celebrates as the final whistle blows against Australia in 2011
COURT has been a regular in the Ireland squad since February 2009 and has accumulated 32 caps, but only eight Tests starts. The Australia-born prop converted from shot-putting to rugby in his late teens and was brought through by the Queensland Reds and Manawatu before he moved to Belfast in 2006.
He toured with Ireland A immediately after joining Ulster, and won his first full cap in 2009, playing off the bench twice in Ireland’s Grand Slam campaign.
Half his Test starts have been against Canada, the USA and Fiji but he has a wealth of experience on the International stage and is a key member of an increasingly successful Ulster side.
WHY SELECTED
On holiday in his home city of Brisbane after Ireland’s tour of the USA and Canada, Court was in the right place at the right time when the Lions needed a prop to sit on the bench for the match against the Melbourne Rebels. He was called up because Mako Vunipola needed to be rested ready for the second Test, with Alex Corbisiero a doubt after picking up a calf injury in the first Test.
TEST PROSPECTS
As close to non-existent as you can get. Court can play on both sides of the scrum, which is an advantage, but there are plenty of props ahead of him in the queue for Test selection.
GREATEST DAY
He only played for a few minutes as a blood replacement, but Court was still one of the Ireland players who beat Wales in March 2009 to secure a long-awaited Grand Slam for Ireland. Court also came off the bench to help Ireland beat Australia 15-6 during the 2011 World Cup.
IF HE WERE A FOOD
Vegemite – some rate this native Australian highly, some beg to differ.
Pack pals: at Lions training with Ian Evans and Richie Gray
FAST FACTS
Club Ulster
Age 32 (6 November 1980)
Born Brisbane, Australia
Dimensions 6ft 3in, 18st 5lb
Country Ireland
Test caps 32
Test points Five (one try)
Lions caps None
Every 2013 Lion is profiled in the July edition of Rugby World, with Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan giving his verdict on each member of the squad. It’s on sale until 1 July.