This was the day the rugby world was finally forced to wake up. The hooker played every game of the 2003 World Cup as Sir Clive Woodward’s heroes went on to beat hosts Australia in that unforgettable final in Sydney. ‘I have no recollection of winning the World Cup in 2003 or of being in Australia for the tournament,’ said Thompson, who retired in 2011 after winning 73 caps. ‘You see us lifting the World Cup and I can see me there jumping around. World Rugby to accept that playing professional rugby can lead to CTE and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Source: Daily Mail December 08, 2020 14:01 UTC