Hodgson poised for a fresh comeback (From The Northern Echo)

Hodgson poised for a fresh comeback

12:05pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Rugby News

CHARLIE Hodgson will make his first England start since his international career was effectively declared over in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup showdown with Scotland.

The Saracens fly-half is preparing to pilot a new-look England team featuring three debutants in centres Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt, plus either Phil Dowson or Ben Morgan at number eight.

England interim head coach Stuart Lancaster will confirm his line-up this morning.

At least eight of the 22- man squad will be uncapped.

Hodgson, 31, has had to get used to making comebacks over the course of his decade-long England career, but admits there is a sense of this one being like a second debut.

After knee reconstructions ruled him out of both the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, Hodgson was served up as the fall guy when England were beaten 37-20 by New Zealand on the 2008 summer tour.

Rob Andrew, then England’s acting head coach, delivered the withering assessment that ‘‘bits of Test rugby are not optional’’ after Hodgson had been swatted aside by All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu.

Hodgson was dropped and has not started a Test match since.

At times he grew disillusioned with sitting behind Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood in the pecking order, but he was always determined to improve those defensive frailties.

Last summer Hodgson moved to Saracens, arguably the best defensive side in England, and on Saturday his international chance will come again.

‘‘It could feel like a debut,’’ said Hodgson, who has won 36 Test caps in 10 years.

‘‘I feel very proud to be given the opportunity to be involved again. Who knows where it goes? I have learned not to look too far ahead.

‘‘I never really thought (it would end with England). It was always a case of working hard and never losing belief in my own ability.

‘‘There are times when you think like you are never going to get picked, but I have always maintained I will work hard regardless of where I am or what I am doing.

‘‘For me it is pleasing to be back in the squad. Is it worth it? The fact that I have gone through those (hard) times and come out the other side is a good judge of character.

‘‘I am pleased that has happened.

Obviously you are not pleased you get that adversity, but the fact I have come through those things and the coaches deem that I am good enough to be here still is a good thing for me.

‘‘I am just more relaxed about things and it put things in perspective. The way the nature of the game is (means) some things go well, some don’t. You can’t let it worry you now.’’ Hodgson could find himself leading an England back division featuring four current Saracens players in himself, Farrell, Barritt and David Strettle, while Chris Ashton is joining the club next season.

England are intent on playing a less structured game than Saracens, but Hodgson is confident they can adapt to Lancaster’s vision.

‘‘We all have a good understanding already,’’ Hodgson said. ‘‘Stuart wants us to go out and feel like we are taking on the opposition.

‘‘Brad (Barritt) is one of the most consistent performers for Saracens in the last two years. He always gets over the gain line in attack and is very, very strong defensively. He always gives you everything you need and more.

‘‘Owen has proved what temperament he has for such a young guy. He has got a really mature head on his shoulders, he is very enthusiastic for the game and very studious and always wanting to learn.

‘‘His knowledge of the game is very good and I have enjoyed listening to him and what he has had to say about the game.’’ 􀁧 Hooker Matthew Rees has been ruled out of Wales’ game with Ireland in Dublin on Sunday because of injury.

The former Wales captain is set to be out for two weeks with a calf strain, which would also mean him missing the Millennium Stadium appointment with Scotland on Sunday week.

Rees is in a battle for the No two shirt with Huw Bennett, with World Cup hooker Bennett set to start in Dublin and win his 50th cap. Rees’ absence now means a probable place on the bench for his Scarlets team-mate Ken Owens, who made his Test debut during the World Cup.