Josh Hodge

Josh Hodge
Birth nameJoshua Ashley Hodge
Date of birth (2000-05-23) 23 May 2000 (age 24)
Place of birthLancaster, England
Height1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb)
SchoolSedbergh School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Full-back, Wing
Current team Exeter Chiefs
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018–2020 Newcastle Falcons 1 (5)
2020– Exeter Chiefs 43 (49)
Correct as of 31 January 2022
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018 England U18 5 (27)
2019 England U19 1 (16)
2019–2020 England U20 11 (90)
2024– England A 1 (11)
Correct as of 11 March 2024

Josh Hodge (born 23 May 2000) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a full-back or wing for Premiership Rugby club Exeter Chiefs.

Biography

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Hodge was raised in South Cumbria where he represented Sedbergh School in the starting XV to win the 2017 Daily Mail Trophy and was Player of the Tournament in the Sedbergh Super 10s competition. He played for the England U18 team during their Six Nations Festival as well as the Falcons' junior academy and was promoted to Newcastle Falcons senior academy squad in the summer of 2018.[1][2] Hodge made his debut for Newcastle during the 2019–20 RFU Championship, scoring a try against Yorkshire Carnegie to remain leaders in the league.[3]

Hodge scored sixteen points on his only appearance for the England Under-19 team in their away win over Wales and also scored a try on his debut for the England U20 side in the opening round of the 2019 Six Nations Under 20s Championship defeat against Ireland.[4][5] Later that year Hodge was top points scorer at the 2019 World Rugby Under 20 Championship, kicking 24 goals from 24 and scoring two tries.[6][7] He also played in the 2020 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[8]

On 18 June 2020, Hodge left Newcastle to sign for Exeter Chiefs on an undisclosed length deal from the 2020–21 season.[9] He received his first call-up to train with the England senior squad as an 'apprentice' player during the 2020 Six Nations Championship under coach Eddie Jones.[10] In February 2024 Hodge scored eleven points including a try for England A in a victory over Portugal.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Falcons pair named in Great Britain U18s 7s squad". Newcastle Falcons. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  2. ^ "England U18s pair sign senior academy contracts". Newcastle Falcons. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Yorkshire Carnegie 10 Newcastle Falcons 36". Newcastle Falcons. 19 January 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Clinical England U19 defeat obdurate Wales". Welsh Rugby Union. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Foley's last-minute score secures dramatic Irish victory in opening battle". Six Nations Rugby. 1 February 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Watch: England flyer Josh Hodge scores an INSANE solo try". Ultimate Rugby. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  7. ^ "World Rugby U20 Championship: The story so far". World Rugby. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  8. ^ "England men U20s elite player squad for 2020 announced". England Rugby. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  9. ^ "Josh Hodge: Exeter sign versatile back from Newcastle". BBC Sport. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Apprenticeships with the seniors is driving up England U20 standards, says Dickens". The Rugby Paper. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  11. ^ "England A 91-5 Portugal". BBC Sport. 25 February 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
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