Hookers have not always been the most dynamic of players, but in Steve Thompson England coach Clive Woodward has unearthed one of international rugby's star performers, who is certain to shine at the World Cup.

The Northampton player was given his England debut against Scotland in the 2002 Six Nations and has never looked back, collecting 18 caps in a career which already includes victories over Tri-Nations heavyweights New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

Possibly the best hooker in the world, Thompson is a mobile and powerful runner who can often be found launching his 6ft 2in, 18st 7lb frame into opposition defences with considerable enthusiasm and even greater success.

His ability to make hard yards around the fringes and from deeper positions adds a useful string to the national side's bow, offering a cutting edge that past England hookers have failed to provide.

Thompson's success in the international arena is obviously down to his natural ability, but he is also a product of the modern game which calls for hookers to function with greater freedom - a role lapped up by the Saints powerhouse.

''Hooking hasn't altered much since I started playing in the position but when the game went professional it changed considerably,'' said Thompson, who at 25 is the undisputed owner of England's number two jersey.

''Now you get bigger props and hookers and you're expected to play more like a back-row player - make more tackles and carry the ball more often. Some people say the line-out is much easier these days but it's like an aerial battle.

''Teams look at videos and know what's going on, they are so well prepared to deal with what's going on at line-outs. You used to hear stories of gouging but now it's more of a physical strength-on-strength battle.''

Berating the modern hooker for his sloppy work at set-pieces is the trend among retired front rowers who once practised the same art, questioning why professional players have problems with their accuracy when it comes to line-out throwing.

But Thompson gives those critics - including former England terrier Brian Moore - short shrift, taking a dig at their work-rate on the pitch and citing the direction the sport has taken since it went professional in 1995.

''What some of the older hookers don't realise is that they used to stand around not doing much whereas now everyone is working a lot harder. They can have their opinions, but we're not playing in the past - it's a different game now to when they operated,'' he said.

Thompson rates French veteran Raphael Ibanez as one of his toughest opponents among the current crop of top-flight hookers and credits Wallaby great Phil Kearns with having the greatest influence on his career.

''Ibanez is a great player, very hard. I also rated Anton Oliver (New Zealand) and Jeremy Paul (Australia) but they have been dropped from their countries' World Cup squads,'' said the Hemel Hempstead-born player.

''Gloucester's Olivier Azam was great when he had his head on and was playing well. I've faced a lot of good hookers but they're the ones who really stick in my mind as the best.

''In terms of my early career, Phil Kearns was more of a role model than Sean Fitzpatrick (New Zealand). Kearns was a more physical player, he came before his time.

''If he was around now he would be one of the best hookers about because of his skills and the way he played.''

Phil Vickery and Trevor Woodman are likely to pack down alongside Thompson when Woodward names his strongest team - possibly in their opening clash against Georgia on October 18 - but the Saints star is happy to play between any of England's props.

''It doesn't matter who I play between, just look at who we're leaving behind. Graham Rowntree is one of the best loose-heads in the world,'' he said.

''It's unbelievable that we have the depth to leave someone of his ability at home. England's props are so good that it's like being in armchair no matter who is picked.''

* Scotland legend Finlay Calder is convinced the Rugby World Cup is on its way to the northern hemisphere for the first time, with England favourites to lift the trophy.

The former flanker believes Clive Woodward's men have emerged as the new superpower thanks to the strength of the Zurich Premiership.

Australia will still fancy their chances with home advantage while New Zealand and South Africa are always dangerous.

But Calder believes France pose more of a threat to England's dream of lifting the trophy for the first time.

Calder said: ''The highlight of how far England have moved on came when they sent the second team down to Wales and took 40 odd points. Ten years ago and 20 years ago that was unthinkable for a first team.

''That is a spin-off of having the Zurich Premiership, which is such a good competition. The Heineken Cup is strong, which helps the northern hemisphere players, but the England structure is the strongest domestic competition in the world.

''It is no surprise that's harnessed a great team, one of the best, and I don't think anybody who knows rugby would say they weren't favourites."