England World Cup winner Thompson reveals dementia diagnosis

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup Final - Australia v England - Telstra Stadium, Sydney, Australia - 22/11/03 England's Steve Thompson and Neil Back with his daughter see Phil Vickery kiss the trophy after the game Mandatory Credit : Action Images / Andrew Budd/File Photo

(Reuters) - Former England hooker Steve Thompson has blamed a lack of protection in his playing days for his diagnosis of early onset dementia and said he can no longer remember winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Thompson, who made 73 appearances for England from 2002-2011, revealed his diagnosis in an interview with The Guardian on Tuesday.