Matt Hampson

Matthew "Hambo" Hampson (born 29 November 1984) is a former English rugby union prop who became a C4/5 tetraplegic after a scrummaging practice accident for England under 21 on 15 March 2005.

Hampson took up rugby as a 5-year old for Oakham, joining Syston RFC when he was 12. He joined Leicester Tigers academy at the under 16 age group and was made an apprentice for the 2001/2 season. He was regarded as a promising prop and although he had not made his Leicester debut he had been an unused bench replacement. He had played both for Bedford Blues and Nuneaton R.F.C. while on loan. He had also played for England U18 and England U21.

Hampson's accident happened on Tuesday 15 March 2005 at Franklin's Gardens, when the England U21 team were preparing for an under 21 Six Nations match against Scotland. In what he described as a freak accident, a scrum collapsed and dislocated his neck, severing his spinal cord. Referee and former paramedic Tony Spreadbury was praised for his quick reaction to stabilise Hampson's neck, saving him even further damage that could have resulted in his death.

Hampson was taken first to Northampton General Hospital and then to the specialist spine unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where he had an operation to relocate his spine. He spent 18 months in Stoke Mandeville, where he contracted a life-threatening Clostridium difficile infection.

Hampson requires the permanent use of a ventilator to breathe.

Hampson divides his time between raising money for spinal care both for himself and others, and UK charity Spinal Research, coaching youngsters at Oakham School, physiotherapy sessions and writing columns for the Leicester Mercury's Sporting Green and International Rugby News. He is particularly supported by his sister Amy, her boyfriend Adam Wheatley and former England U21 captain Matt Cornwell.

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