Thompson goes back to Falcons

MATT Thompson is set to return to his former club Newcastle Falcons this summer as part of the club’s new-look backroom team.

Brighton-born Thompson, 29, was a hooker for the club between 2001 and 2014 and also played for Ealing Trailfinders and Blaydon before calling time on his career four years later.

Dean Richards took care of recruitment during his time at the club, but now that he has left, former England Saxons man Thompson is ready to take on the job and join the new-look set-up under Dave Walder.

Thompson was a member of the squad that won the Powergen Cup in 2004 and has been director of rugby at Blaydon.