The Fylde rugby community have already welcomed the highly promising Tom Burrow who joined the Fylde squad a month ago on a dual registration basis from Sale Sharks Academy.
It’s hard to miss the towering 6’8″ Yorkshire-born lock on or off the pitch. Tom signed his first Senior Academy contract with Sale Sharks ahead of the 2023/24 season and is already making an impression.
After a couple of cameo performances for Fylde from the replacements bench, he made his first starting appearance for the 1st XV against Otley at the Woodlands on Saturday. And he achieved the rare feat of being named by the Joint Head Coaches as Man of the Match on his debut. He dominated the lineout alongside lock partner Matt Garrod and worked hard all over the pitch.
The talented second-row grew up in Dewsbury and started playing rugby at the age of four at Morley RUFC, where his dad had played until his retirement.
Tom played at Morley until U17 level, by which time he’d been selected for Central Yorkshire DPP, the Yorkshire JDS and received county level call-ups.
During the Covid pandemic Tom rejoined the Central Yorkshire DPP and was picked to play for Yorkshire Academy in the academy league. He played there for two seasons, captaining the side in 2022/23.
Tom attended Heckmondwike Grammar School for seven years, through high school to sixth form, and played college rugby for Bishop Burton AASE during the 2022/23 season.
He was picked for England’s U18 side for a tour of South Africa during 2022/23 and he also played in the u18 Six Nations.
Asked about his early impressions of the Fylde squad and Club more generally he said: “I have really enjoyed my first few weeks with Fylde. The group have been welcoming and supportive of myself and the other boys on loan. It’s been a step up playing men’s rugby in a physical sense, but a challenge I needed to improve as a player. Earning MOTM was a proud moment for myself, in a great team effort to take 5 points at home. I’m delighted to be a part of tight-knit group.”
