News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
By Jonathan Stockham
April 22 2009
Today Tom Smith announced his retirement from first class Rugby. While not exactly unexpected in his benefit year, the announcement made us all realise what a debt we owe this man. He has become a permanent fixture at Saints, and he will leave a big space at the club, and a pair of boots much larger than than expected to be filled. Fellow Scot Jonathan Stockham writes a tribute to Tom.
April 22 2009
Today Tom Smith announced his retirement from first class Rugby. While not exactly unexpected in his benefit year, the announcement made us all realise what a debt we owe this man. He has become a permanent fixture at Saints, and he will leave a big space at the club, and a pair of boots much larger than than expected to be filled. Fellow Scot Jonathan Stockham writes a tribute to Tom.
Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
By Jonathan Stockham
Well, it had to happen eventually. Sadly for all Scots, Saints fans and connoisseurs of the dark arts of the rugby front row, one of the very best prop forwards of the modern era has toddled off down the player's tunnel for the last time. At the seemingly hyper-advanced age of 37 and the oldest player in the Guinness Premiership, time and tide have turned against the quiet little Big Man's career at the top level.
Tom was born in the rather English city of London but, being a bit of a rascal, was packed off to boarding school at Rannoch in the Scottish Highlands. From there, he progressed through the Scotland age group and development teams before winning his first full cap against England in 1997. And that was the year when Tom burst into the consciousness of rugby followers everywhere, as well as into the faces of the South African front row!
Tom was born in the rather English city of London but, being a bit of a rascal, was packed off to boarding school at Rannoch in the Scottish Highlands. From there, he progressed through the Scotland age group and development teams before winning his first full cap against England in 1997. And that was the year when Tom burst into the consciousness of rugby followers everywhere, as well as into the faces of the South African front row!
For Tom, all 25 years and 16st 7lbs of him, after only 3 international caps, was picked to tour with the British and Irish Lions. The established loose head picked for the tour was Jason Leonard with over 50 caps and a tourist in 1993 in New Zealand. Surely the starting No 1 for this tour?
Perhaps the Scottish coaching connection of Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer helped his cause but Tom, perhaps surprisingly at the time, was to form part of a mobile ball handling front row designed to scrum low against the Springbok behemoths. Interviewed before the start of the 2009 Six Nations, Keith Wood, a fellow Lion in 1997 listed Tom and tight head David Wallace as the best front row he had ever been part of.
Tom went on to win a total of 6 back to back caps in the 1997 and 2001 Lions tours and was the cornerstone of the pack. He was the only Scot to play in all 6 tests. In 1997, he was up against Springbok Adrian Garvey, 6 inches taller and 1 stone heavier but Tom's ability to pack low but strong de-powered the SA pack, contributing to the series victory. Before the tour started, the Boks fans discounted the novice wee prop just as they had done to their cost back in 1971 with another prop from Scotland, Ian McLauchlan. Big mistake take two!
However, it wasn't just his technique in the set piece that marked Tom out. As Saints fan's have seen over the years, there is a scrum half locked up in that prop's body and Tom regularly popped up as the link man at the base of a ruck or out wide to help keep the ball moving forward.
He went on to win 61 caps for his country, scoring 6 tries in the process. He was proud to be part of the team that won the very last 5 Nations Trophy in 1999, the year before the Azurri turned up. He captained Scotland throughout the 2001 Autumn Test series and was awarded The Famous Grouse Player of the Season title for 2000-2001. He had a massive game at Murrayfield against the Springboks in 2002, the Scots winning 21-6 after a flawless performance in the set piece and the breakdown.
Tom decided to call time on his international career after the end of the 6 Nations campaign in 2005. The time had come to focus on his rugby with Saints, more time with his family and on his work as a patron of the epilepsy charity Enlighten, drawing on his own experience of the condition to encourage other sufferers to live as normal a life as possible, including participating in sports like rugby.
Paying tribute to Tom on his retirement, Scotland coach Frank Haddon said, "You can't underestimate his contribution to Scottish rugby. He was the first outstanding ball-playing prop this country produced and he is a player with fantastic skill and a big heart.
"And he has brought great experience to the Scotland set-up from his times on tour with the Lions."
Perhaps the Scottish coaching connection of Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer helped his cause but Tom, perhaps surprisingly at the time, was to form part of a mobile ball handling front row designed to scrum low against the Springbok behemoths. Interviewed before the start of the 2009 Six Nations, Keith Wood, a fellow Lion in 1997 listed Tom and tight head David Wallace as the best front row he had ever been part of.
Tom went on to win a total of 6 back to back caps in the 1997 and 2001 Lions tours and was the cornerstone of the pack. He was the only Scot to play in all 6 tests. In 1997, he was up against Springbok Adrian Garvey, 6 inches taller and 1 stone heavier but Tom's ability to pack low but strong de-powered the SA pack, contributing to the series victory. Before the tour started, the Boks fans discounted the novice wee prop just as they had done to their cost back in 1971 with another prop from Scotland, Ian McLauchlan. Big mistake take two!
However, it wasn't just his technique in the set piece that marked Tom out. As Saints fan's have seen over the years, there is a scrum half locked up in that prop's body and Tom regularly popped up as the link man at the base of a ruck or out wide to help keep the ball moving forward.
He went on to win 61 caps for his country, scoring 6 tries in the process. He was proud to be part of the team that won the very last 5 Nations Trophy in 1999, the year before the Azurri turned up. He captained Scotland throughout the 2001 Autumn Test series and was awarded The Famous Grouse Player of the Season title for 2000-2001. He had a massive game at Murrayfield against the Springboks in 2002, the Scots winning 21-6 after a flawless performance in the set piece and the breakdown.
Tom decided to call time on his international career after the end of the 6 Nations campaign in 2005. The time had come to focus on his rugby with Saints, more time with his family and on his work as a patron of the epilepsy charity Enlighten, drawing on his own experience of the condition to encourage other sufferers to live as normal a life as possible, including participating in sports like rugby.
Paying tribute to Tom on his retirement, Scotland coach Frank Haddon said, "You can't underestimate his contribution to Scottish rugby. He was the first outstanding ball-playing prop this country produced and he is a player with fantastic skill and a big heart.
"And he has brought great experience to the Scotland set-up from his times on tour with the Lions."
Tom's career with Northampton Saints continued through 8 seasons after arriving at the club from Brive in 2001. A total of 162 starts and another 28 from the bench bear witness to the durability and lasting top form of the man. An accumulation of 10 tries along the way in Saints colours are testament to his versatility. Never one to use a sentence when one word or a nod will do, when he does speak, other players listen and listen damn hard. For he has been there, seen it all, done the hard work, got the T shirt.
One of THE best loose head props in world rugby (and certainly the very best in his prime in 2000 - 2002) has finished his last shift at the coal face. He has earned the respect of teammates and opponents alike the world over. He is much loved by us all at Saints, of whom he said last year when extending his contract, "Staying at Northampton was an easy decision. It is a club where I have been for a long time and a club for which I have a lot of affection. My family is also settled in the area, which is very important for me. I was very touched by the positive response from the supporters last year and this was another major factor in my decision to stay at the club."
Cheerio Big Man. Thanks for the hard work, the unassuming yet determined way of it all and the fun. Thanks for letting us share some of your glorious rugby Tom.
April 09
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Date: 22/04/2009 18:44
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:22:18:45:12 by St Marlowe.
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Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: desbralass (IP Logged)
Date: 22/04/2009 19:03
What a fitting tribute.Well penned,Mr Stockham.
Benefit for Bruce please.
Benefit for Bruce please.
Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: Robby Richmond (IP Logged)
Date: 22/04/2009 19:16
touching words capn about a great man.
It's important to remember what a quantum leap in the game Tom has made to the position of prop forward. Before Tom few northern hemisphere props would see the ball let alone have the ability to play the ball and make the RIGHT decision time and time again.
While many look to Vickery as the prototype 'new' prop its our chiselled man who showed everyone the way. We look at Gethin Jenkins today and admire his pace, power and his outstanding work rate.Tom was doing this 10 years ago. I remember fondly Toms pass to Billy Whizz on the lions tour of 2001 and one, the pace he put on the ball, the drawing of the man. I recall a similar situation with sheridan in 2005 and he just stuck his head down and went of it himself.
Tom is a quiet man, a brave man but a brilliant brilliant professional. So many saints supporters pish and moan about the diva-esque behaviour and media commitments of some players....
simply put the reason we do is because we have been so fortunate to see exactly how its supposed to be done.
The scrumcast radio show, a visceral and apoplectic rugby show featuring an idiot well known to many rugbynetwork regulars, now completely free of swears
download or subscribe here!
Join the facebook group and embrace the rugby madness with us!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:22:19:51:19 by Robby Richmond.
It's important to remember what a quantum leap in the game Tom has made to the position of prop forward. Before Tom few northern hemisphere props would see the ball let alone have the ability to play the ball and make the RIGHT decision time and time again.
While many look to Vickery as the prototype 'new' prop its our chiselled man who showed everyone the way. We look at Gethin Jenkins today and admire his pace, power and his outstanding work rate.Tom was doing this 10 years ago. I remember fondly Toms pass to Billy Whizz on the lions tour of 2001 and one, the pace he put on the ball, the drawing of the man. I recall a similar situation with sheridan in 2005 and he just stuck his head down and went of it himself.
Tom is a quiet man, a brave man but a brilliant brilliant professional. So many saints supporters pish and moan about the diva-esque behaviour and media commitments of some players....
simply put the reason we do is because we have been so fortunate to see exactly how its supposed to be done.
The scrumcast radio show, a visceral and apoplectic rugby show featuring an idiot well known to many rugbynetwork regulars, now completely free of swears
download or subscribe here!
Join the facebook group and embrace the rugby madness with us!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:04:22:19:51:19 by Robby Richmond.
Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: Connect (IP Logged)
Date: 22/04/2009 19:31
A well writtten and crafted piece, Jonathan, really captures the 'spirit' of Wee Tam.
Rannoch is a most isolated place to spend a few formative years for a youngster, but it seems to have worked in Toms case!
It has been an honour to meet and see Tom play, enjoy your retirement big man!!
Rannoch is a most isolated place to spend a few formative years for a youngster, but it seems to have worked in Toms case!
It has been an honour to meet and see Tom play, enjoy your retirement big man!!
Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: St.Rich Joe, Niamh and Sam's Dad (IP Logged)
Date: 22/04/2009 20:04
Great Piece Stockers. Thanks for being a Saint Tom
“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.”
“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.”
Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: Wee Jim (IP Logged)
Date: 22/04/2009 20:32
Excellent writing Stockers! Thanks again Tom for setting the bar for being a Saint and being an all round rugby player
Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: Saint Morrissey (IP Logged)
Date: 22/04/2009 21:08
A great man who has played the game with such dignity. He has simply been one of the best players to ever wear a Saints shirt and I hope the club honours him in a fitting way. Too many good players have simply ducked out of the back door.
We cannot let Tom go the same way. We need to fill the Gardens on May 9th and say goodbye properly.
We cannot let Tom go the same way. We need to fill the Gardens on May 9th and say goodbye properly.
Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: Flinstone Saint (IP Logged)
Date: 22/04/2009 21:34
Oh er, Stockers. You've set me off.
I can honestly say, I've never known a Saints team without Wee Tam (I've been an active supporter for 7 years) so it really is going to be very weird not to have one of my stalwarts there next year.
We will miss him big style.
Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: SlimJimmie (IP Logged)
Date: 22/04/2009 22:31
If I were a gal I'd be blubbing.....
As it is I simply shed a tear.
Thanks Tom
As it is I simply shed a tear.
Thanks Tom
Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: Undersizedprop (IP Logged)
Date: 22/04/2009 22:33
A true legend of the game. I unashamed to admit I was one of those supporters begging him to stay on for one more season. It will be interesting to follow his off field career, as I have a sneaky feeling he might experience similar success to that he achieved on the pitch.
Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: Howlin (IP Logged)
Date: 22/04/2009 23:17
Well done Stockers, a fitting tribute, lovingly and accurately written. I'm sure Hadden meant to say overestimate but hey I bet the emotions got the better of him too. Tom is one of the reasons we love and support rugby. I dearly hope his like will emerge again, but somehow I doubt it. It seems incredulous that he has been a saint for so long, the time has passed so quickly. Truly a rugby great.
Saint til I die
Saint til I die
Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: Saintsby (IP Logged)
Date: 22/04/2009 23:24
Mr Stockham a superb piece that does justice not just to a saints legend but a Scotland and world great. A ftting tribute to the leend that is. If I may paraphrase a line from flower of Scotland 'when will we see his like again' Thamk you Jonathan.
Brucie benefit please
Brucie benefit please
Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: Howlin (IP Logged)
Date: 22/04/2009 23:30
Whats a leend ? (is it some strange Scottish beastie ?)
Saint til I die
Saint til I die
Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: SAINT_aitch (IP Logged)
Date: 23/04/2009 06:58
Excellent piece Stockers.
Sad to see him go, but so happy to have been able to see him play.
Thank you Tom.
Sad to see him go, but so happy to have been able to see him play.
Thank you Tom.
Re: News: Tom Smith - Proud Lion and Revered Saint
Posted by: Shaddo (IP Logged)
Date: 23/04/2009 07:22
An excellent tribute Stockers, thank you.
And thank you Tom.
When I'm in my dotage and boring any youngster who will listen and many who won't about 'The Greats' who have worn the GB&G and made it so special Tom will be at the top of that list. We have seen bigger 'stars' play at the Gardens, we have seen bigger men, but I doubt we'll ever see someone with a bigger heart.
All the best for whatever you decide to do in the future - I dearly hope it will involve the Saints in some way. But that's me being selfish.
And thank you Tom.
When I'm in my dotage and boring any youngster who will listen and many who won't about 'The Greats' who have worn the GB&G and made it so special Tom will be at the top of that list. We have seen bigger 'stars' play at the Gardens, we have seen bigger men, but I doubt we'll ever see someone with a bigger heart.
All the best for whatever you decide to do in the future - I dearly hope it will involve the Saints in some way. But that's me being selfish.
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