Determined Hodge out to make his mark
By Mark Stevens
6/11/21
Spend a few minutes in the company of Josh Hodge and it doesn’t take long to see what a determined and focused young man he is.
From starting out as a young footballer in Preston North End’s football academy to that of a rising star in the National Decathlon Championships; he was an even a crack shot when it came to clay pigeon shooting; it’s on the rugby field where the 21-year-old is undoubtedly looking to make his real mark.
Already singled out by current England head coach Eddie Jones as ‘one to watch’ following his call-up as an apprentice to the ranks in January 2020, Hodge is hoping his flight from the Newcastle Falcons to a new home here in Exeter will be the catalyst for him to achieve what he wants in the game.
Certainly, initial impressions appear favourable with the speedster back, who has settled well to life in the Westcountry. Very much part and parcel of a star-studded back division here at the Chiefs, you kind of relate to the Lancaster-born ace as a fine wine, one who will only get better with age.
Already he has shown glimpses of his undoubted talent, this demonstrated with a stunning individual try in last season’s fixture away to Gloucester. However, you tend to feel there is still much more to come from the former Sedburgh School product.
“Everyone has goals within the game and I’m no different,” said Hodge. “The biggest for me is to play for England, it’s all I’ve dreamed about since I was nine. Aside from that, I want to play in big games, win trophies and be a part of a successful side here at Exeter.”
That’s not Hodge being arrogant in any way, it’s just further evidence of a young man who knows what he wants – and how determined he is to achieve his overall goals.
Today, he will get his chance to shine again on the big stage, lining up against his former club as the Chiefs look to build on last Friday’s impressive away-day win over Gloucester at Kingsholm.
“It’s going to be great to come up against a few old team-mates and coaches,” he says with a large smile on his face. “Newcastle are a quality team with some great players. Like with any side in the Premiership, they can come down here, turn up on the day and put in a performance that gets them a win.
“Equally, I know we’re a great side too and we showed that last week [up at Gloucester]. We needed to have a response after the previous week and you saw that from the boys that played up there. Now, it’s up to us this weekend to do the same and put in another big performance.”
With the Chiefs shorn of some of their big-name stars due to the current Autumn Nations Series, Hodge knows his starting role today offers him the perfect opportunity to not only gain vital game minutes under his belt but, more crucially, demonstrate to the club’s coaching staff that he is continuing his upward trajectory.
“I knew when I signed down here that I was joining one of the top clubs in the world,” said Hodge. “From the minute I arrived, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Not only am I playing and training with some of the biggest names in the game, but I know I am improving and adding to my game all the time.
“Having someone like Stuart Hogg alongside me – whether it be him offering advice or just watching how he does things in training or in games – it’s only going to make me a better player.
“It’s the little things he does, things that people from outside don’t really notice, that make a real difference. Whether it’s how he moves into the line, how he deals with a high ball, scanning the field, even just when to be decisive and run, it’s invaluable for someone like me.
“Equally, the way he or others talk out on the field, they lead from the front and that’s something I am always looking to add to my game.”
Now, Hodge is looking to put all of those observations and learnings into practice for a Chiefs side who have yet to fully fire on home turf this season.
“As I said, Saturday is a big game for us all,” added Hodge. “It’s days like that what you train for all week. The weekend is showtime, the chance for all of us to put everything into practice, so if we do that, then we give ourselves a great chance of winning.”