LEADING Premiership rugby player Guy Thompson says he can't believe how quickly his time at Wasps has gone.

The Hereford star is currently part of a side that are riding high at the top of the Aviva Premiership and have a great chance of making the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup.

Thompson joined Wasps in the 2013/14 season and made his debut against Harlequins at Twickenham in front of 62,637 fans.

The back row player – who usually wears the number seven jersey – has since rattled up 71 appearances and scored 21 tries.

"I think it's gone a lot quicker than I thought it would because they've got some great players there," said Thompson, who missed a large part of last season with a broken toe.

"I still remember my first game at Twickenham in front of 60,000 people, which was insane.

"I still have to pinch myself that I'm playing for a Premiership side that has players like Kurtley Beale, Dan Robson and Danny Cipriani, who are household names.

"I'm in my fourth year at Wasps and it's flown by.

"We've had a few hiccups but we can't really complain at the moment.

"We're under no illusions that we've still got some tough games coming up and we're only halfway through our fixtures.

"Every team is capable of winning games and we can't take any game for granted.

"We've got a squad at Wasps where no one gives away their shirt and you've got to play well to earn your shirt.

"We've got a brilliant backline defence and our attacking play is also very good.

"We've still got some stuff to work on, but we do our best every day and that's all anyone can ask."

Thompson's exploits this season even led to talk that England could come calling, while it was reported that Wales were looking to see if he was eligible to play for them.

But Thompson said he he didn't really believe it and thinks the fact he is now 29 will count against him.

"It's really humbling to be spoken about in that way, but I'm not going to think about it," he said.

"I think it's been blown out of proportion and I'm just going to keep working hard at Wasps.

"But, of course, if any international call-up does come up, I will grab it with both hands."

Last Saturday, Wasps dramatically beat French giants Toulouse 17-14 thanks to a last-gasp try by Dan Robson that keeps their hopes alive of reaching the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup.

"I love playing European games," added Thompson.

"There's a different buzz in training and we know we have to step up another level."

However, Thompson's remarkable journey could easily have taken a different twist.

Aged 21 and a member of the Gloucester Academy, Thompson decided to take time away from the game and go travelling.

"I found myself at Gloucester, who had a team full of internationals, but I wasn't enjoying it there," said Thompson.

"It was a massive risk because nothing is guaranteed for when you come back, but it seems to have paid off.

"I've been a bit lucky, but so grateful I've been given these opportunities, so for me it was a positive decision."

Thompson still has family and friends in Hereford and comes back as often as he can.

He says he is fully confident Hereford will stay in Midlands 1 West, while he is also impressed with how fellow county side Luctonians have consistently punched above their weight in National League 2 North.

"Everything goes in peaks and troughs and Hereford have got a big enough squad and players with ability to make sure they stay clear of relegation," said Thompson.

"I really enjoyed my time there.

"I was nervous when I first started, but I wouldn't change my time there for the world.

"Luctonians have also got a lot of players that want to be there and the boys play for each other because they get on so well.

"It's a huge achievement that they've managed to stay in their league for so long."