April 14, 2008

CHARLIE HODGSON
Club: Sale Sharks
Position: Fly half
Born: 12.11.80 | Halifax
Height: 1.77m (5’10”)
Weight: 82kg (12st 13lb)
Representative Honours: England Under 16s, Under 18s and Under 21s
Caps: 30
Points: 253 – 6T, 44C, 42PG, 3DG
International Record: 2001 R 2002 S(R), I(R), It(R), Arg 2003 F,W, It(R) 2004 NZ(1,2), A, C, SA, A 2005 W, F, I, It, S, A, NZ, Sam 2006 W, It, S, F NZ, Arg, SA(1) 2008 S(R)

Charlie Hodgson recovered from reconstructive knee surgery to relaunch an international career hampered by injuries and played his first test for 16 months as a replacement against Scotland in the 2008 RBS 6 Nations match in March.

He missed most of last season after rupturing a cruciate ligament against South Africa in November 2006 and although he returned in time for England's training camp in Portugal, it was decided that the World Cup was too soon for a playing comeback. 

The former Bradford Grammar School and Durham University student made his England debut against Romania in 2001 when he created an England record of 44 points in a match.

He helped England towards a Grand Slam in 2003 but sustained his first anterior cruciate ligament injury. He was then absent for eight months, missed the 2003 Rugby World Cup and needed a second operation.

He bounced back to start all of England’s 18 Tests from the summer of 2004 until March 2006 and produced mature performances in attack and defence while honing his decision-making skills and becoming a clinical points accumulator. His most recent appearance came as a late replacement for Jonny Wilkinson in England's 15-9 defeat to the Scots at Murrayfield.

Did you know?
Charlie’s career has unfolded from his curious first match as a nine-year-old when turning up to play for his club, Old Brodleians, in Halifax. The opposition was short so he ended up playing for them.

He was a huge Halifax rugby league supporter before trying his hand at rugby union and is a complete sports fan – watching cricket, golf and football.