Josh Hodson

Josh Hodson (born 15 June 2000) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.

Josh Hodson
Personal information
Full nameJoshua Hodson
Born (2000-06-15) 15 June 2000
Newport, Shropshire, England
Playing information
PositionCentre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2020–21 London Broncos 19 4 0 0 16
2022–23 Batley Bulldogs 55 24 0 0 96
2024– Castleford Tigers 0 0 0 0 0
Total 74 28 0 0 112
Source: [1][2]
As of 23 September 2023

He has previously played for the London Broncos and the Batley Bulldogs in the Championship.

Background

Hodson was born in Newport, Shropshire, England.[3]

From the age of 6, Hodson played rugby union with Newport RUFC, where he played as a scrum-half.[4] In 2010, he began to play junior rugby league for Telford Raiders, switching position to centre.[4] In 2014, he joined the Midlands Hurricanes academy based out of Loughborough College.[4] Following a successful trial, he signed for the London Broncos academy, where he climbed through the ranks.[5]

Playing career

London Broncos

On 23 February 2020, Hodson made his senior debut for the London Broncos against the York City Knights in the Challenge Cup, starting on the wing.[6] The following week, he made his first appearance in the Championship against Featherstone Rovers.[7] The league's COVID-19 abandonment prevented any further appearances in Hodson's debut season, but in October he signed a first-team professional contract with London.[4][5]

Hodson began the 2021 season as a starter for London. On 20 June, he scored his first try for the Broncos against Whitehaven.[8] He finished the year having made 17 appearances and scored 4 tries.[1]

Batley Bulldogs

In October 2021, the Batley Bulldogs announced the signing of Hodson for 2022, following the arrival of London teammate James Meadows.[9] Head coach Craig Lingard said, "He has got a really bright future in the game and, hopefully, we can help him get to the next level."[9] Hodson made his first Batley appearance against Halifax Panthers on 30 January,[10] and scored his first try for the club against the Royal Navy in the Challenge Cup.[11] He featured in Batley's Championship play-off final defeat against the Leigh Centurions.[12] He made a total 26 appearances and scored 5 tries in the 2022 season.[1]

In the early rounds of the 2023 Challenge Cup, Hodson scored 4 tries on two occasions, against Wath Brow Hornets and Hunslet ARLFC.[13][14] His try-scoring form attracted the attention of six Super League clubs.[15] Hodson featured in Batley's 1895 Cup final defeat against the Halifax Panthers at Wembley. He finished the season with 19 tries, scored in 29 appearances.[1]

Castleford Tigers

On 2 October 2023, it was announced that Hodson would join the Castleford Tigers in the Super League on a two-year deal.[16][17] This move saw him link up with former head coach Craig Lingard, who had taken on the role of assistant coach at the Tigers.[18][19] Hodson said, "I'm not going to be holding back and I'll give it everything I've got to take the opportunity with both hands," with Castleford claiming to have beaten two Super League rivals to his signature.[20][21]

References
  1. RL Record Keepers' Club
  2. Rugby League Project
  3. Thomson, Doug (9 October 2023). "Josh Hodson completes unique Rugby League journey with Castleford Tigers move". TotalRL. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  4. Elwell, Nick (5 December 2020). "Josh Hodson riding high as he nets Broncos deal". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  5. "London Broncos add five academy stars to first team squad". The RFL. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  6. "London Broncos 22 - 24 York City Knights". Sky Sports. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  7. "London Broncos 10 - 34 Featherstone Rovers". Sky Sports. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  8. "London Broncos v Whitehaven". BBC Sport. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  9. McKenna, Ben (20 October 2021). "Batley Bulldogs head coach details what London Broncos centre Josh Hodson will bring to his side". Dewsbury Reporter. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  10. Craven, Dave (30 January 2022). "Batley Bulldogs 30 Halifax Panthers 18: Bulldogs come storming back to win a Championship classic". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  11. "Batley Bulldogs 66 - 6 Royal Navy". Sky Sports. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  12. "Championship play-off final: Leigh 44-12 Batley Bulldogs - Adrian Lam's Centurions march back to Super League". BBC Sport. 2 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  13. Cheshire, Adam (14 March 2023). "Craig Lingard praises 'professional' Batley Bulldogs in routine Challenge Cup win". Dewsbury Reporter. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  14. "Hunslet ARLFC 6 - 80 Batley Bulldogs". Sky Sports. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  15. Shaw, Matthew (12 May 2023). "Batley Bulldogs star set for Super League move with six clubs battling it out". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  16. "Hodson is a Tiger". Castleford Tigers. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  17. "Josh Hodson: Castleford Tigers to sign Batley Bulldogs centre from 2024". BBC Sport. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  18. Smith, Peter (2 October 2023). "Castleford Tigers sign prolific Championship try-scorer Josh Hodson". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  19. O'Brien, James (2 October 2023). "Castleford Tigers dip into Championship to sign Batley Bulldogs centre". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  20. Olawumi, Ben (2 October 2023). "Castleford Tigers win the race for highly-rated Championship ace's signature; Vows to 'take the opportunity with both hands'". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  21. Walker, Callum (2 October 2023). "Coachless Castleford Tigers beat two rival Super League clubs to the signing of Championship and Batley Bulldogs star Josh Hodson". TotalRL. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
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