Porte began rugby playing for school team Dover Grammar.[1] He left the school to go to Exeter University where he played rugby for the university team and was in the winning Exeter University team in the British University Sports Association final against Northumbria at Twickenham.[citation needed]
Porte began his professional career with Glasgow Warriors in 1996.[2] He was on the bench for Glasgow's European Conference match against Montferrand on 19 October 1996; and was on the bench for Glasgow's game against Newport RFC on 28 October 1996.[3] He came off the bench for Glasgow in their Heineken Cup home match against London Wasps in Season 1997–98.