Four potential Super League destinations for ex-St Helens prop Luke Thompson

The future of Luke Thompson has been one of the most monitored careers in recent years.

After making the move to the Canterbury Bulldogs midway through the 2020 Super League season from hometown club St Helens, Thompson has gone on to be one of the most impressive forwards in the Canterbury side.

Of course, this is a Bulldogs team that has struggled so far in 2022, though, the club have improved in recent weeks with two victories from two under interim coach Mick Potter.

At the core of that improvement has been the physicality and toughness of the Canterbury pack with Thompson leading the way.

However, with Thompson returning to the UK on compassionate leave, there are question marks over whether or not the England international will return to Belmore following a personal family issue.

If that is true, which four Super League teams could potentially bring him in?

St Helens

This is perhaps the most likely given Thompson is still very much on good terms with Saints after an amicable departure in 2020. The hulking forward knows what makes the Merseyside club tick and would be an incredible asset alongside Alex Walmsley and Matty Lees. It would, however, remain to be seen whether or not Saints could fit the 27-year-old into their salary cap particularly when they have had to let go of the likes of Lachlan Coote and Kevin Naiqama due to cap restraints.

Hull FC

Hull are willing to spend big to get their deals over the line and they could well be willing to shell out the cash to bring Thompson to East Yorkshire. Remember when the Black and Whites were able to lure Gareth Ellis to the MKM Stadium when numerous clubs had been in for him in Super League? Who’s to say that couldn’t happen again with Thompson if given the chance? With such a big forward pack already, the addition of the 27-year-old would make the Black and Whites’ pack the biggest and best in the top flight.

Warrington Wolves

Daryl Powell has been actively in the transfer market trying to bolster his forward pack for 2023. With Wests Tigers forward Thomas Mikaele joining already and Sam Kasiano and Gil Dudson making the move for 2023, Warrington Wolves are set to have a huge forward line. Adding Thompson into that would make the Wolves’ pack so formidable that it would be like chalk and cheese to the lightweight pack of 2021. The Warrington hierarchy are no strangers to spending big to get their men like with George Williams and Gareth Widdop, so there is no doubting the Cheshire club’s financial capabilities.

Leeds Rhinos

Perhaps the least likely of the four choices, bringing in Thompson would certainly elevate the Rhinos’ forward pack to new heights. With Rohan Smith wanting to put his own stamp on the Leeds squad, who’s to say a huge signing in the shape of the former Saints man could not happen? Coming back to the UK to Yorkshire may not be what Thompson wants, especially considering he is currently in St Helens dealing with his personal family matter, but stranger things have happened.