Mobility, strength and durability have served Steve Thompson well since he excelled as a member of the winning Midlands Under 21 team against New Zealand as well as the victorious North and Midlands and England sides against South Africa in the same age group. His emergence blossomed into the status of a 2003 Rugby World Cup winner and he has rejuvenated his career since sustaining a serious neck injury in the Heineken Cup pool match against Biarritz and announcing his retirement from the game four years ago. Steve left Northampton Saints, the club he represented for ten seasons and had captained, to pursue a coaching role with Brive but took further medical advice, was cleared to play for the French club and returned to action later in 2007.
At the end of last May before winning two more England caps in Australia, he signed a two-year contract with Leeds Carnegie and said: "I am looking for a fresh challenge and Leeds is exactly right for me." His selection in the England squad for the matches against Argentina in the summer before last bridged a gap of 38 months since he won his 47th cap against Ireland. Steve's international comeback off the bench for Dylan Hartley was in the 37-15 win over the Pumas at Old Trafford and he won his 50th cap against Argentina in November 2009.
He duly became the twenty-second England player to reach 60 caps when sharing in the 26-13 win over Samoa at Twickenham last autumn. An uncompromising forward, he prefaced World Cup success with an eye-catching tour of New Zealand and Australia the summer of 2003 and represented the 2005 Lions against Argentina and in New Zealand. He initially appeared twice for England A 11 years ago, his debut being in the 31-30 defeat by Ireland A on his home club ground at Franklin's Gardens. He had not become involved in rugby until the age of 14 when he developed his skills at Northampton Old Scouts while a pupil at Northampton School for Boys. In May 2011, Steve signed a three year deal for London Wasps after Leeds, Carnegie were relegated from the Aviva Premiership.
How to hire Steve Thompson
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Steve Thompson for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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