Ex-St Helens prop Luke Thompson returns to England

Former St Helens forward Luke Thompson has returned to England.

General Manager of the Canterbury Bulldogs – the club where Thompson is on the books – Phil Gould has revealed that the hulking forward has returned for a ‘mystery family issue.’

“Luke has not seen his family for a couple of years and we felt it important he returns home now during this difficult time,” Gould told the Daily Mail.

“He is to return to Australia on July 8th, but much will depend on how things play out back home. Some things in life are just far more important than football.”

The Englishman is on big bucks at the Canterbury Bulldogs and there has been talk over the past year that the Canterbury Bulldogs would be open to letting the 26-year-old go in a bid to ease salary cap pressure, with Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney already on their way to Canterbury next season.

Previously, the Daily Telegraph had revealed that Melbourne Storm were sniffing round the Super League Grand Final winner.

Storm will be losing veteran prop Jesse Bromwich to new franchise the Dolphins as they begin their NRL story in 2023.

Thompson was reportedly offered to the Wests Tigers before the season started, but he previously said he was determined to stay at Belmore until the end of his contract – however, he is unsure where his future lies beyond that.

“I’m not really sure about the rumours, they didn’t really come from me,” Thompson told the Daily Telegraph.

“I signed a three-year contract at the Bulldogs and I have every intention of fulfilling my contract.

“I am really looking forward to the season ahead and the year after.

“Going back home is always going to be an option but I think I will decide when it comes around to it. I’m enjoying my time over here [Australia] at the minute.”

Thompson has been one of the bright sparks for Canterbury since joining and has earned himself a reputation Down Under for bulldozing runs and big hits in defence.

Could his return to England though be the start of a potential move back to Super League?