After overcoming a severe shoulder injury Tom Stewart exploded onto the URC scene in 2022.
In a dream breakthrough season, Stewart finished his maiden campaign with 16 tries for Ulster. The most tries any player has ever scored in a URC season.
On the back of his record-breaking debut season, Stewart was then handed his chance to impress on the national side and he made his debut for Ireland against Italy in August 2023 in a World Cup warm up match.
Fast forward to the start of the 2024 season and Stewart finds himself back on the treatment table.
A long-standing ankle issue was finally tackled over the summer when Stewart went under the knife, but the downside to this was another lengthy period on the sidelines.
But just when there appeared to light at the end of the tunnel, Stewart’s comeback against Leinster brought further issues and he was faced with another seven weeks on the treatment table.
“I obviously got back for that Leinster game and I was delighted but things just weren’t right after it and it wasn’t really something I felt I could play through,” explained Stewart.
“But there was always light at the end of the tunnel I suppose and there’s always different ways to look at it. I got my body in good shape and that was something I really went after in the injury period so it’s always nice to have those extra things in rugby to go after.”
After taking to the field in last week’s 52-24 win over Exeter, Stewart is now delighted to have something to focus on after a week’s training.
“It’s lovely to have something to build for towards the end of the week.
“Rehab can get a bit monotonous at times when it’s just week after week when you are just following the same programme, doing the same thing and you feel that the end goal is so far away.
“But it’s nice going week to week with the games. Obviously, Friday being it’s a longer turnaround now to Sunday but it’s kind of good for me having that bit of time after the game to roll into Sunday. But I’m just looking forward to getting minutes under my belt and keep playing and staying injury free.”
Stewart’s return to action has come at a perfect time for Ulster too.
Not only is Rob Herring away on international duty, but there’s an important block of URC fixtures which leads into a knock-out Champions Cup tie in Bordeaux. A surprising fixture for Stewart but one he aims to make the most of.
“I think we’re surprised but delighted as well. It’s an opportunity for us. It’s something that you might not get to experience very often. It’s a round of 16 and we’re going away to a top French side.
“It’s something we’re going to attack and something we’re going to go after but we have a big block of URC games in between and they’re our number one focus.”
