#3. Josh Hodge (Exeter Chiefs)
Exeter Chiefs confirmed the signing of highly rated, Lancaster-born Josh Hodge from Newcastle Falcons in June 2020.
A full-back from South Cumbria who represented Sedbergh School, i was promoted to the Falcons’ senior academy squad in the summer of 2018.
He played for England Under-18s as well as Falcons’ junior academy prior to his promotion and progressing to England Under-19s.
He made a try-scoring debut for the Falcons in their Championship win against Leeds Carnegie and later went on to become the top scorer in the World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina, kicking 24 goals from 24 and scoring two tries.
As well as being a more than capable rugby player, Hodge has previously been on the books of Preston North End’s football academy and is a talented decathlete, finishing fifth in the Under-19s national championships in 2017.
Alongside participating in 10 athletic events, Hodge was asked to train with the Great Britain U21 Development squad in double trap clay pigeon shooting at the age of just 15.
In 2020 he was called up as an apprentice player by England head coach Eddie Jones for the Guinness Six Nations training squad – a happening he describes as a current career highlight.
Hodge made his top-flight debut for the Chiefs at the tail end of the 2019/20 season, featuring in a famous away-day victory against Bristol Bears.
