Charlie Hodgson: An Indian Summer?

Guest writer James Durward-Akhurst gives us his thoughts on one of the most enigmatic players in the British Isles:

In June 2012, after his re-emergence in the Six Nations Charlie Hodgson announced his international retirement after a career littered with highs and lows. Ever in the shadows of Jonny Wilkinson, he will no doubt be remembered for his widely criticised defence and failed attempts to resurrect his international career. I would argue that this may have been a hasty move and that in fact Hodgson still has a lot to offer England and is maybe the only 10 that could ignite this current England backline.

What we have to remember, and what some people forget is that Hodgson has had a rugby career which most people would dream of. Within a year of making his debut in 2000 he was selected for England and by 2005 he had a Guiness Premiership winner’s medal and a spot on the Lions Tour. He still holds the record points score in an England shirt (44) and was named Player of the season at Sale in 2008,2009 and 2010.

What people seem far more concerned about is Hodgson’s weak defence. Blighted by this criticism throughout his career he will ever be remembered for the missed tackle on Ma’a Nonu which brought his New Zealand tour and England career to a shuddering halt back in 2010.

The Wilkinson Effect

I personally feel that the Wilkinson effect had massive implications for Hodgson’s demotion from the international ranks. Wilkinson tackled like a man possessed and gave the English backline an extra defensive edge. There was never a need to put a forward out in the 10 channel for a defensive scrum when he was playing. With Hodgson at 10 that was different.  Hodgson added a more attacking edge with a flat line pass arguably the best in the world, even today.  His defence at that time was mediocre and we have to ask ourselves, could more have been done to protect his defensive position at 10 and also his England career?

We also have to remember that Ma’a Nonu is a proper unit and Charlie Hodgson will not be the last player to be left on his backside after a rampaging run through the middle! Anything running at you from distance weighing in at 6ft and 229llbs will cause defensive problems!

A New Era!

Hodgson’s move to Saracens was wielded as a ‘new challenge’. A sceptic of Hodgson myself at the time I found the move puzzling. At the time in 2010, Venter, McCall, Gustard,  Farrell and Sanderson were creating a brand of rugby which although not flashy, was centred around a strong defence. The obvious question….Where does Hodgson fit into this?

Love them or loathe them, Saracens’ club ethos is built around unity and a never say die attitude. This was epitomised in the epic defensive display in the Premiership final when defending their line phase after phase.  Venter’s Mourinho style approach to rugby meant if you didn’t buy in to the Saracens way, you probably didn’t fit in at all!

Schalk Brits - Rugby player

Like a typically ignorant sceptic I stuck by my guns and refused to have my views shifted despite me having to eat humble pie, week after week, match after match.  Hodgson’s stats speak for themselves! In 17 games he has appeared, Sarries have only lost twice once against Wasps on the opening day where he was a subsitute, and against Leicester in the 2012 semi-final.  Hodgson probably hasn‘t played the attacking rugby he desires at Saracens, but his defensive contributions have been enough to warrant an inclusion into the ‘WolfPack’ ethos built by Paul Gustard, Saracens’ defensive coach. More importantly for Hodgson, he has changed my mind and he now sits alongside my other favourite Sarries players (although still below Schalk Brits, Jacques Burger and Richard Hill).

Saracens solid defence is still evident this season and to quote Dewi Morris in his ‘On the Attack’ article, Hodgson’s form has been ‘sublime. 

Morris also goes on to state that Hodgson shouldn’t come out of retirement and that the young guns in English rugby should be given a shot. As much as I am a fan of this ideology based on Farrell’s recent performances I think he should eat his words. Flood’s performances have been nothing more than average and his continuation in the team must be causing a stifling effect on George Ford’s career! Barkley has seen the $$$$$ and moved to France and Freddie Burns lacks consistency across all areas of his game! 

We also need to remember that the English backline is basically the Saracens backline so what better way could they gel together? With Hodgson’s attacking ability and improved defence along with Saracens’ pledge to play a more attacking brand of rugby, could this be the key to unlocking some of the southern hemisphere rugby super powers?