Even the most experienced England internationals can have a transfer that doesn’t quite work out, or worse ends their career entirely.
#1. Steve Thompson – Leeds Carnegie to Wasps
Despite being 33, there was excitement when the World Cup-winning hooker signed a three-year deal with Wasps in May 2011. However, in December that year, after making just one appearance, Thompson announced his immediate retirement from the game following a recurrence of a serious neck injury sustained in training. This required surgery to relieve symptoms of numbness and dizziness, but to carry on playing would carry serious risk to his health.
DID YOU KNOW? The England hooker was nominated for World Player of the Year in 2003, losing out to teammate Jonny Wilkinson