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JOSH HODGE TO RE-JOIN NEWCASTLE RED BULLS
Josh Hodge is returning to Newcastle Red Bulls on a three-year deal, with the Exeter Chiefs and England A full-back forming a key part of the club’s summer influx.
A graduate of Newcastle’s academy who produced a sensational length-of-the-field try on his first-team debut back in 2020, the Sedbergh School old boy has scored 29 tries in 89 appearances for Exeter Chiefs since heading to Devon five years ago.
Able to kick goals with either foot, the former England Under-20s flyer was the Junior World Championship’s top points scorer in 2019 with a perfect record of 24 from 24, and scored a try for England A in this season’s game against New Zealand’s All Black XV.
Optimistic about the trajectory of the club as he relishes the prospect of his second spell on Tyneside, Hodge said: “I'm really looking forward returning to Newcastle Red Bulls.
“There is a lot of unfinished business for me in Newcastle, and with Red Bull coming in it’s exciting times for the club. I can't wait to see what we can do over the next three seasons.
“I knew that if I got the opportunity to go back to Newcastle, where it all started for me as a professional rugby player, it would be hard to turn it down.
“And for the fans, I cannot wait to be back playing in front of the northern crowd. The north is my home, and the Newcastle supporters are incredible.”
Aiming to reverse the trend of Newcastle’s top talent moving away from the region, Newcastle Red Bulls’ sporting general manager Neil McIlroy heralded Hodge’s return as a major moment for the club as they embark on their ambitious new era.
He said: “Bringing Josh back to Newcastle is an important move for a number of reasons.
“Firstly, he is a quality English player who will significantly strengthen our squad, and anyone who watches Gallagher PREM rugby will be aware what a huge talent he is.
“At full-back or wing he has pace to burn and a fantastic kicking game, but in addition to that there is a wider statement about us wanting this to be a club where English talent can prosper.
“There’s understandable frustration around the number of players who have developed in Newcastle’s academy, but who have moved away to fulfil their ambitions. We are committed to Newcastle Red Bulls being a club where homegrown talent can flourish, so that the Josh Hodges of the future will not feel the need to go elsewhere.”
JOSH HODGE BIOG
Position: Full-back
Born: 23/5/2000
Height: 1.89m (6 foot 2)
Weight: 88kg (13 stone 12)
Honours: England A
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