‘ Steve Thompson is regarded by some as England’s finest ever hooker and certainly England’s biggest. When you note that he played a part in all but one of England’s Rugby World Cup performances in Australia in 2003, you realise how central he has become to the side. Indeed the robust but mobile hooker missed only two of England’s 17 Tests in 2003 and touched down for his second Test try in England’s opening World Cup match against Georgia in Perth.’