Steve Thompson MBE
Steve Thompson MBE
Saints Number: #1743
Saints Career: 1998-2007
Appearances: 192
Position: Hooker
Representative Honours
England (73 caps)
British & Irish Lions (2005 New Zealand)
Hall of Fame
Inducted: 2022
Steve Thompson MBE
Steve Thompson rose from Saints academy prospect to Rugby World Cup winner and one of the most decorated hookers in English rugby history.
A Northampton native, Thompson progressed through Northampton School for Boys, Northampton Casuals and Northampton Old Scouts before joining Saints’ academy. Initially a back-row forward, he was converted to hooker by Sir Ian McGeechan, a decision that transformed his career.
Thompson made 192 appearances for Saints between 1998 and 2007 and became a cornerstone of the Northampton forward pack. He was part of the squad that won the Heineken Cup in 2000, appearing as a replacement in the famous 9-8 victory over Munster.
His combination of size, mobility and handling ability made him uniquely effective around the field. Standing over six feet tall and weighing around 18 stone, he offered a powerful presence both in the set piece and the loose.
Internationally, Thompson established himself as England’s first-choice hooker during one of the most successful periods in the nation’s history. He played a major role in England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup triumph and Grand Slam success, eventually winning 73 caps and becoming England’s most capped hooker at the time of his retirement.
Selection for the 2005 British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand further highlighted his standing in the game. He featured against Argentina and earned Test appearances against the All Blacks in Christchurch and Wellington.
Following his retirement, Thompson became one of the leading voices advocating for greater awareness of dementia and player welfare. His openness following an early-onset dementia diagnosis and the release of the BBC documentary Head On: Rugby, Dementia and Me brought important attention to the challenges facing former players.
His induction into the Hall of Fame in 2022 recognised both his achievements on the field and his courage away from it.
Hall of Fame profiles have been researched and compiled, with the Club’s grateful thanks, by the volunteers of Northampton Saints Foundation’s Heritage Department – whose work helps preserve and share the rich history of Northampton Saints.