Luke Thompson keen on next move to reunite with former St Helens boss; ex-Leigh star attracting NRL interest

Luke Thompson is reportedly keen on a move to the Sydney Roosters which would see the forward reunite with former St Helens boss Justin Holbrook next season. 

The England international is said to be willing to take a major cut on his current $800,000 per-season salary to complete the move, with his current contract coming to an end at Canterbury Bulldogs.

He has endured an injury-hit career since his switch Down Under, limited to just 41 appearances across four years, including just three this season after suffering a nasty pre-season foot injury.

NRL reporter Danny Weidler revealed Thompson’s rumoured move, with Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra Dragons also believed to have shown interest in the 28-year-old. 

Thompson could replace duo Matt Lodge and Fletcher Baker in the pack, with the former making the switch to Manly Sea Eagles earlier this year and the latter joining Brisbane Broncos on a two-year contract from 2024.

“It’s an interesting one, and this will probably get people scratching their head a little bit… but Luke Thompson is telling people he would like to play for the Roosters for less,” Widler told Nine’s 100% Footy, via Wide World of Sports.

“We’ve heard that story before. There’s been an approach that Thompson would like to go to the Roosters and he’s got an association with (incoming assistant) Justin Holbrook.

“Luke Thompson has been linked, there was an approach to Nick Politis, the chairman of the Roosters.

“It’ll be interesting to see if that goes through. I don’t know how they fit him into the cap though.”

Luke Thompson to reunite with Holbrook?

Australian coach Holbrook turned down the chance to return to Super League with Warrington Wolves following the departure of Daryl Powell and instead opted to join Sydney Roosters as an assistant under Trent Robinson on a three-year deal.

The newly-appointed Papua New Guinea international boss led St Helens from 2017 to 2019, with Thompson playing under the coach throughout those years.

The pair won the 2019 Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, with Thompson winning the Harry Sunderland Trophy in the 23-6 win over Salford.

Holbrook, 47, returned to Australia after the triumph as head coach of the Gold Coast Titans, while Thompson joined the Bulldogs.

Former Leigh star attracting NRL interest

Meanwhile, current Sydney Roosters utility and former Leigh star Drew Hutchison has attracted interest from two NRL clubs with his contract set to expire.

Weidler has reported that both the Bulldogs and Dragons have emerged as potential landing spots for the 28-year-old, who featured for then-Centurions in 2018.

Hutchison made his professional debut with St George Illawarra in 2015 against Cronulla before later making the switch to England in the Championship.

He returned to the NRL in 2019 with the Roosters and has featured in the halves, centres, pack and from the interchange bench under head coach Robinson this season.

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