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London - England hooker Steve Thompson has tipped Rugby World Cup minnows Georgia to be the surprise package of Group B.
Thompson was part of England’s 2003 World Cup winning team and is set to take part in his second tournament this year. Speaking to Fanhouse UK, Thompson said that Georgia’s players would be keen to impress for several reasons.
"You see the way Georgia played in the last World Cup, they nearly beat Ireland. I think they are going to be a much better team this time. I have played against a few of their top players in France,” said Thompson.
“They are going to have something to prove. Georgia are a team where some new blood will be found and they are looking for professional contracts. It will be hard for them to stay in the whole tournament, but they can come up with a big game.”
Thompson missed out on the 2007 World Cup after suffering what was thought to be a career-ending neck injury in January that year (while playing for Northampton Saints in the Heineken Cup).
However, England’s most capped hooker returned to rugby less than ten months later and his appearance at the World Cup will cap what has been a remarkable recovery.
England will face Argentina (September 10), Georgia (September 18), Romania (September 24) and Scotland (October 1) in the group stage of the World Cup.
Thompson was part of England’s 2003 World Cup winning team and is set to take part in his second tournament this year. Speaking to Fanhouse UK, Thompson said that Georgia’s players would be keen to impress for several reasons.
"You see the way Georgia played in the last World Cup, they nearly beat Ireland. I think they are going to be a much better team this time. I have played against a few of their top players in France,” said Thompson.
“They are going to have something to prove. Georgia are a team where some new blood will be found and they are looking for professional contracts. It will be hard for them to stay in the whole tournament, but they can come up with a big game.”
Thompson missed out on the 2007 World Cup after suffering what was thought to be a career-ending neck injury in January that year (while playing for Northampton Saints in the Heineken Cup).
However, England’s most capped hooker returned to rugby less than ten months later and his appearance at the World Cup will cap what has been a remarkable recovery.
England will face Argentina (September 10), Georgia (September 18), Romania (September 24) and Scotland (October 1) in the group stage of the World Cup.
