When you note that Steve Thompson played a part in all but one of England’s Rugby World Cup performances in Australia, you realise how central he has become to any England side. Indeed the robust, mobile, hooker missed only two of England’s 17 tests in 2003 and touched down for his second try in England’s opening Rugby World Cup match against Georgia in Perth.

Steve started playing rugby at 15 at the Northampton School for Boys and went on to play for Ben Cohen’s old side, Northampton Old Scouts RFC. He also trained with the youth section of Saints and at 18 was selected for the apprentice scheme at the club’s
Academy. Despite competing against the Argentinian Federico Mendez in the 1999/2000 season for his club place, he still managed to force his way into the England A squad, including facing Ireland on his home Franklin’s Gardens turf.

Steve was a member of the victorious England Under 21 side that beat South Africa and was selected for England’s summer tour to North America in 2001 where he was one of the many success stories. His career progressed rapidly and he is now England’s
first choice hooker. He scored his maiden test try against Italy in 2003 and made a significant contribution to England’s southern hemisphere tour in June 2003 playing in both tests against New Zealand and Australia. He was educated at Northampton School for Boys.