Fear of drop brought real buzz - Thompson
FORMER Leicester and Wasps back row Guy Thompson says promotion and relegation between the Premiership and the Championship are a must if the game wants to increase excitement levels.
The 35-year-old, who announced his retirement last month, scored two tries for Tigers in a mustwin relegation clash at a full-house Newcastle Falcons in April 2019.
He says that without the fear of the drop that game would have been ‘pointless’. “A hundred per cent you need something to aim for,” he told TRP. “Without a doubt there should be relegation and promotion.
“I was in a Leicester team that played at Kingston Park in a relegation battle and because of that it meant so much during the game. It was a full house with a real buzz in the air. There was loads on the line and because of that you got to see exciting rugby, two teams going at each other non stop.
“Without relegation that game was pointless. Some have said losing relegation maybe helps younger guys coming through, but I just don’t see how you can lose that buzz.
“We’ve missed it this season, and that’s what younger players need to challenge themselves.”
Thompson is hanging up his boots after 12 years in the top leagues and a rollercoaster career; being dropped at Gloucester’s academy and re-emerging in his early 20s with Richmond in 2010 when they
just missed out on promotion from National Two.
He also enjoyed spells with Ealing Trilfinders and Jersey and says the Championship must be properly funded.
“The Championship is a gem of English rugby and there should be promotion, relegation and more funding in the right places to help fund that,” he added.
“Ealing this year have won the league, what are they playing for if they don’t have the opportunity to go up and challenge themselves?
“There’s a hell of a lot of good players in the Championship that deserve to be looked at better and the RFU and others need to address the funding levels.
“I benefited hugely from the Championship, I would never have played in the Premiership without my chances with Jersey.”
On Ealing being denied promotion he said: “I spoke to a few of the boys, and they are gutted. There are reasons that haven’t been made public. I don’t know it all but Ben Ward (Ealing DoR) is really switched on, he understands what goes on behind the scenes. Ben will make sure they are a position to go up in the future if they have the opportunity, and they should.”
Having completed a Masters degree at De
Montfort University, Thompson is set to move into a career in private equity at the end of an injury-laden season.
It brings to an end his second spell on the island after being part of their National 1 promotion campaign in 2012, which led to him spending five years at Wasps from 2013.
On his career highlights, he said: “Playing in the Premiership was incredible. I didn’t quite make it at Gloucester 15 years ago, I had a big setback but then just enjoyed the sport.
“That first time I went out wearing the famous Wasps No.8 shirt, the feeling was incredible.
“I’ve had great performances for Leicester, away for Wasps at Toulon and in Premiership finals but stripping that back, just to run out in that shirt was special.”