AFP/File – World Cup-winning hooker Steve Thompson, seen here in 2006, was recalled Monday to an injury-hit England … LONDON (AFP) – World Cup-winning hooker Steve Thompson was recalled Monday to an injury-hit England squad for next month's Tests at Twickenham having himself briefly retired from rugby because of a neck problem. England manager Martin Johnson, who was Thompson's World Cup winning captain six years ago, has lost nearly two teams' worth of players because of injuries for next month's Tests against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand, including his first-choice front row. Thompson, who made his name at Northampton, quit rugby in April 2007 after a neck operation but returned months later to play for Brive, having initially joined the French club as a coach. Ironically, given his injury problems since landing the... [read full story]
