It’s a big weekend for Thomas Clarkson as he’s set for his first Six Nations start for Ireland as the squad faces off against Wales.
Not only that, but the Dubliner is celebrating a quarter of a century as he also turns 25 years old on Saturday, February 22. Talk about a great way to spend a birthday!
But what do we know about him? Here’s what we could sleuth on the young player…
Education and rugby career
Thomas boasts brains as well as sporting ability, having graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a BA in Human Health and Disease and later graduated from Griffith College with a BA in Accounting and Finance.
Thomas has been playing rugby for years, having his first monumental achievement in 2018 when he won a Leinster Schools Rugby Senior Cup with Blackrock College.
After leaving school, Thomas joined Dublin University, the club representing Trinity in the amateur All-Ireland League.
Then came his big break, if you will. He joined the Leinster academy ahead of the 2019-20 season and made his senior debut for his province on August 29, 2020 in a victorious match against Ulster.
U20s Six Nations success
In 2019, Thomas played for the Ireland under-20s team that won a grand slam during the Six Nations Under 20s Championship and represented the team at the World Rugby Under 20 Championship.
The following year, he was vice captain of the side during the Six Nations Under 20s Championship.
The Dublin man debuted for Ireland during the 2024 Autumn Nation Series. On the back of that, Thomas was named on the bench for the opening round of the 2025 Six Nations.
Now, Thomas, who boasts over 3,000 followers on Instagram, has been named in the starting line-up for the first time for Ireland’s fixture against Wales.
Relationship
Cheering him on from the sidelines alongside the Six Nations WAGs will be his doting girlfriend Ava O’Shea.
It’s unknown when the couple first struck up a romance, but they’ve been together for at least three years.
Ava is an aspiring artist, a NCAD Print graduate to be exact. She’s currently based in London.
We’d imagine Thomas’ close friend Donnacha Mescal, Paul and Nell Mescal’s brother, will also be cheering him on this monumental weekend. Best of luck!
