UPDATE 1-Rugby-Thompson, Wilkinson back for England

Wed Nov 4, 2009 2:20pm GMT
 
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* World Cup-winning hooker completes unlikely comeback

* Wilkinson set for first England game for 20 months

* Only four survivors from 2008 Wallaby game

(adds detail, quotes)

By Mitch Phillips

BAGSHOT, England, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Hooker Steve Thompson completed the final stage of his remarkable rugby comeback on Wednesday when he was named in England's starting team to face Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

Thompson, a World Cup winner in 2003, was forced to retire from the game with a neck injury in 2007 but, after repaying his substantial insurance payout, returned to action with French club Brive.

After a two-minute appearance off the bench against Argentina in June, the 31-year-old will reclaim the starting berth for the first time in more than three years against the Wallabies (1430 GMT).  Continued...

 

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