Regan backs Thompson to lead from the front for England

Mark Regan believes Steve Thompson has the attributes and experience to overcome Dylan Hartley and convince England manager Martin Johnson he is the man to lead the national team's front row in this, a World Cup year.

Thompson will learn tomorrow if his England renaissance is to continue when Johnson names his squad for the forthcoming Six Nations, the next significant staging post on the road to New Zealand.

The Leeds Carnegie hooker lost the starting jersey at the start of the recent Autumn Internationals to Hartley but Regan – who started for England in the World Cup final in Paris at the age of 36, four years after Thompson helped England win the final in Sydney – believes the 32-year-old still has a significant role to play for his country.

"There's a lot of talk about Dylan and he's not likely to get dropped but if Thomo keeps playing well for Leeds and England, when he gets his chance, then he'll be all right," said Regan, whose 47-cap career spanned 13 years, two World Cups and a Lions tour.

"He's got a good chance of getting his shirt back and getting into that team and holding it for the World Cup.

"I remember reading a story when he came out of retirement where he said 'if Mark Regan can play in a World Cup final at 36, then I can'.

"And he can. Thomo's been around and he knows what it's like to win a World Cup final.

"He also knows how to perform in the types of conditions you'll see in New Zealand, and England themselves know how to win the tight matches."

Lee Mears – who lined up against Thompson as Bath defeated Leeds in the Premiership last Saturday – and Leicester's George Chuter are both in the reckoning for the England No 2 shirt, but it is Kiwi-born Hartley who currently has the favour of Johnson.

He took the role from Thompson after the opening game of the Autumn Internationals thanks mainly to a try-scoring cameo from the bench against his native countrymen.

The 24-year-old started at No 2 in the destruction of Australia when Johnson's men finally shed their inhibitions, and has the backing of the pundits who are looking for figureheads in a young and dynamic England set-up.

But for Regan, Thompson remains the better option for England.

"Hartley is a good player but he's too hot-headed," he said.

"He gives away too many penalties and in the

Premiership on Saturday, Leicester took him apart.

"Mentally, they tore him apart in the lineout.

"Thomo used to get that, nerves during the lineout, but he's addressed that now. And he's got that aggression in his game as well.

"There's a shortage of good quality hookers in this country but Thomo is definitely one of the better ones."

Like Thompson, Regan retired from international rugby only to launch a revival in May 2007 that culminated in a World Cup final appearance against the Springboks in Paris five months later.

Thompson quit rugby in 2007 because of a neck injury but relaunched his career in France with Brive before Leeds came calling last summer.

His try at The Rec on Saturday helped Leeds pick up a losing bonus point at another of Regan's old clubs, and for the former Tyke, Thompson's club form is vital if he is to sustain his place in Johnson's squad.

"If you're playing well in a side that's losing then you'll play a lot better in a side that's winning," said Regan, who forced his way back into the England squad during his four-year spell with Leeds.

"It's easier for players at the likes of Leicester to be called on just because they're at the big clubs."

Regan still keeps a keen eye on the progress of a club he played for from 2002 to 2005, though he expresses concern at their current plight, which sees them four points adrift at the foot of the Premiership table.

Regan said: "It's no good people patting you on the back and saying 'well played'. It's beyond that now. It's about picking up points."