Prop Matt Hampson’s entry in the Leicester Tigers’ 2004-5 Yearbook reads:

Matt has been playing rugby since he was five years old, firstly with Oakham RFC then joining Syston at the age of 12. He joined the Tigers Junior Academy at the U16 age group, and became an Apprentice at the beginning of the 2001/2 season.

Matt has represented the Tigers Youth team; Tigers U21s, including appearing in their league winning side of the 2002/03 season; and Tigers Extras, helping them in their A league campaign last season. He was also one of five Development squad players to train with the first team during the summer. Matt has also represented Leicestershire at both U16 and U18 levels.

Matt has also won four caps for England at U19 and U21 level. It was at a training session in 2005 at Northampton whilst preparing for a game against Scotland that Matt suffered an accident in a collapsed scrum that has left him paralysed in hospital.

Just over a year on from that day Matt has impressed everyone with his inner strength and character. He has given interviews to The Sunday Times and to Central News in the East Midlands. Click here to see the Sunday Times interview.

The Matt Hampson Trust has been set up to help support Matt and his family.

Matt's emotional return, with his family, to the pitch at Welford Road during the half time break at the recent play-off game against London Irish. Looking on is Matt Cornwell, friend, Tiger and England U21 captain. (Photo courtessy of the Leicester Mercury)