Newcastle Red Bulls confirms the signing of former academy star

Monday, 29 December 2025 at 12:51

byRugby Rucker

Josh Hodge is heading back to Newcastle Red Bulls on a three-year deal, forming a key part of the club’s summer rebuild.

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The Exeter Chiefs and England A full-back returns to Tyneside five years after leaving, having come through Newcastle’s academy and scored a sensational length-of-the-field try on his first-team debut in 2020.

Since moving to Devon, the Sedbergh School product has made 89 appearances for Exeter, scoring 29 tries. He is also comfortable kicking with either foot, having topped the 2019 Junior World Championship scoring charts with a perfect 24-from-24 record. He added a try for England A against the All Blacks XV this season.

Excited for the Return

Hodge is optimistic about Newcastle’s trajectory and eager to begin his second spell.

“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.”

A Statement Signing

Newcastle Red Bulls’ sporting general manager Neil McIlroy says Hodge’s return sends a strong message about the club’s ambitions and commitment to homegrown talent.

“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.”

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