Rugby: Thompson chasing international ‘dream’

The former Red, who is eligible to play for any one of the four home nations as a result of his Island ‘nationality’ (through Jerseyborn father, Peter), has said he would jump at the chance to play on an international stage.

Age: 28

Wasps appearances (competitive): 53

Tries: 17

Previous clubs: Gloucester Academy, Richmond, Jersey RFC

England would appear to be the obvious route given that he was born in Hereford, but the 28-year-year old hopes a decent run in the Wasps starting XV can turn heads on wider scale.

‘A lot of my family have lived here for years and I class myself from here,’ said Thompson, who was back in the Island this week.

‘Everyone’s dream is to become an international, and it’s definitely an area I’ll be looking into now I’m getting on towards the age of 29. I’m quite fortunate that I can play for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales as I take my nationality from Jersey, but I’ve just got to keep knocking performances together and see if anyone takes notice.’

Thompson, who made his 50th appearance for Wasps this season after leaving St Peter in 2013, has played a bit-part role in the pack of late. However, the former England junior – a scorer last weekend against Worcester – starts for the Coventry-based side tomorrow in their European Champions Cup group-stage fixture away to Toulon, and hopes he can continue to make his mark when such opportunities arise.

‘I’ve already passed 55 appearances in my two years here, which I’m ecstatic with – I would have bitten your hand off if I’d been offered that when I first moved – but it is always disappointing when you’re not selected.

‘Whenever you get a run in the team you want to stay there, but it’s a team game, so we’re always making sure whoever gets the shirt can put the best performance in.’

Discussing his former employers’ Championship credentials, and potential long-term ambitions to play in the top-flight, Thompson added: ‘It’s awesome to see Jersey doing really well. What is great for them now is the stability. There hasn’t been much stability in the last seven or eight years because of the success … they’ve gone from strength to strength and players have come and gone.

‘But now they’ve got up into the Championship, stayed there and moved on from the relegation battles, and it’s now about building on those foundations and continuing to develop the Academy.

‘It would be amazing to see them as a Premiership club.

‘It would have great appeal to the players – why wouldn’t you want to live in Jersey and be in the Premiership?’

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