Stephen Geoffrey Thompson MBE[2] (formerly Steve Walter; born 15 July 1978) is a former rugby union player who played at hooker for Northampton Saints and England.

He also trained with the youth section of Saints and, at 18, was selected for the apprentice scheme at the club's academy as a back row forward.

[5] On 15 April 2007 Thompson announced his immediate retirement from rugby due to a neck injury that he had suffered during the closing Heineken Cup pool match against Biarritz at Franklin's Gardens in January 2007.

[9] However, on 3 December 2011 Thompson announced his immediate retirement from the game, following a recurrence of a serious neck injury sustained in Wasps' training in late October, which required surgery to relieve symptoms of numbness and dizziness.

[12] Thompson made a significant contribution to England's southern hemisphere tour in June 2003, playing in both victorious tests against New Zealand[13] and Australia.

[17] Thompson was recalled to the England squad for the 2009 autumn internationals along with 2003 world cup winners Jonny Wilkinson and Lewis Moody.

[19] He has also been appointed as sports ambassador for security and facilities management services company Transguard,[20] and worked in the media as rugby analyst for OSN and ESPN (UK).