New England Free Jacks returned Erik Thompson for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. The 24-year-old scrumhalf is 5’10” and 177 lbs.
Erik played in the team’s Fall 2018 exhibition season matches against the Ontario Arrows and Rugby United New York and then captained the team in 2019 against the Utah Warriors. He played in the Cara Cup and against Lansdowne.
Following the Cara Cup and the match against Lansdowne, Eric traveled to Christchurch, New Zealand to play with Sumner RFC and trained with the Crusaders academy program.
Erik is from Rancho Santa Margarita, California and attended Trabuco Hills High School, graduating in 2013. He was a USA High School All-American in rugby. He then attended U.C.L.A. from 2013-2017 earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, International Relations and Affairs. He also was a study abroad student from August 2016-January 2017 at the London School of Economics & Political Science. He also is pursuing a Master’s Degree at the Harvard Extention School.
In 2014 and 2015, Erik represented the U.S. on the AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans in the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy competition. He excelled at UCLA in both rugby 15s and in 7s. He has played club rugby with the Santa Monica Dolphins and with Mystic River Rugby Club. While in London, he played with Blackheath Rugby Club.
Eric performed well for the New England Free Jacks during their 2018-2019 exhibition season and is expected to be an important addition for the team in 2020.
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