Morgan backs Thompson for the future

Castleford Tigers commentator Mick Morgan believes youngster Jordan Thompson has all the attributes to make a top quality player.

The former Wakefield and England favourite Mick Morgan watched the 18-year-old make his first team home debut against Wigan Warriors at the weekend when he was selected on the wing by Head Coach, Terry Matterson.

Thompson made two first team appearances last season and was the inaugural winner of the Colin Butterfield Shield for Tigers' rookie of the year, presented by the club's players' association.

Morgan said: "The kid is a good player, whether he is a winger I don't know. Last week he got out jumped for a try with Pat Richards which will happen to anybody in the game because he is probably the best in the game at leaping for them high balls.

"He settled down well after that though, and can hold his head up after some of his hits on defence, and some scoots and whatever. He played well did Jordan Thompson."

Mick looks back on his own 25-year playing career in a new podcast with The Independent called Tryline as he speaks candidly about the differences he sees in the modern game in comparison to his time as a player.

The Featherstone-born product is quite simply one of the sport's true characters who remains as passionate about Rugby League now as he did when he started out in the 1960s as a young semi-professional.

He was a dependable performer, who operated as a prop forward, hooker and loose forward during his career with Wakefield Trinity, Carlisle and Oldham, and he has been just as versatile away from the pitch as well.

He's been down the pit, successfully run a pub of his own and made a name for himself as an excitable commentator on the Tigers' DVDs, that is when he is not busy on the after-dinner circuit.

As well as discussing some his personal highlights during the interview, Mick also opens up about the sad times including the devastating loss of close friend and former Trinity team-mate David Topliss, who collapsed and died while playing a five-a-side football match only two years ago.

Elsewhere in the Tryline podcast, you can hear all about the top news stories from all 14 clubs in Super League from the last seven days plus as ever there is a run-through the latest fixtures and results from the competition too.

Click here for the latest Tryline podcast.

Fans are encouraged to get in touch with their views and suggestions by emailing yoursay@tryline.net