RWC 2003 winner Steve Thompson joins ‘inspirational’ Progressive Rugby
This article is written by Progressive Rugby
Steve Thompson MBE has joined Progressive Rugby saying the lobby group.
The former England hooker said: “I have long followed the group and been impressed with their dedication to finding ways to make the game safer.
“I don’t think that people realise the quality of playing and medical expertise and experience in the group both in terms of the professional and amateur game.
“The fact they have such busy lives but are ploughing endless hours of their own time into finding a way to protect the future of the game they clearly love is inspirational.
“I am very proud to be part of a group who are determined future generations get as much enjoyment from the game as they have.”
Steve Thompson played 73 times for England, and in 2003 won both the Grand Slam and most memorably the Rugby World Cup beating Australia in Sydney 20-17 with the now infamous extra time drop goal from Jonny Wilkinson.
Steve, who played his club rugby for Northampton, Saints (with whom he won the Heineken Cup in 2000), Leeds, Wasps and Brive, and also won three British Lions caps during the 2005 tour to New Zealand.
In December 2020, aged just 42, Steve revealed that he had been diagnosed with early onset dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
He has spoken how his condition means he can’t remember playing the RWC final and can struggle to remember his wife’s name and the names of his four children.
He is part of the action against World Rugby and the RFU, and in September 2021 Thompson decided to donate his brain for CTE research.
“I don’t think that people realise the quality of playing and medical expertise and experience in the group both in terms of the professional and amateur game.”