Former St Helens star Luke Thompson tipped for major honour

At St Helens, Luke Thompson developed into one of the finest props on the planet winning the Harry Sunderland Award in the 2019 Super League Grand Final.

Shortly after this, he earnt a move to the NRL with the Canterbury Bulldogs where he has become a key player.

There have been constant rumours about his future with it being believed that the Bulldogs could offload him to open up some cap space.

There were links with Wests Tigers and Melbourne Storm as well as constant murmurings that he could return to Super League with former club St Helens as well as Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves all reportedly interested.

However, this never came to pass, perhaps due to the quality he’s shown at the club, he has remained at the club and told Serious About Rugby League recently that he has “unfinished business” in the NRL.

Meanwhile, the retirement of Josh Jackson this week has opened up $500,000 worth of cap space for the Bulldogs which further cements Thompson’s future with the club.

But Johnson’s decision could have an even bigger impact on Thompson, with the England international being one of the players tipped to replace Johnson as captain in 2023.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the Bulldogs are assessing the leadership qualities of a number of options including Josh Addo-Carr whi captained the side in Johnson’s absence last year.

Meanwhile new recruit Reed Mahoney and Matt Burton are also amongst those being tipped to take on the captaincy as is Thompson himself.

It would be a major honour for him and a major symbol of the success he has achieved in the NRL.