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Hodgson's stitched up but raring to go

Jenny Dixon
4/ 6/2008

IT WILL take more than 13 stitches to stop Sharks fly-half Charlie Hodgson’s bid to revive his England career.

Hodgson required stitches after clashing heads with flanker Jerry Collins during England’s 17-14 victory against the Barbarians on Sunday.

Despite this, Hodgson travelled to New Zealand with the rest of the squad on Monday, where he will, for the first time in 18 months, be England’s first choice fly-half.

"I came off as a precaution," said Hodgson, who remained on the Twickenham sidelines after receiving treatment. "If it had been a Test match I would have gone back on. I had 13 stitches in a cut on my cheek but apart from the scar and a sore head, I am fine."

Facing the Barbarians alongside Hodgson were Sale scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth, who is also a member of England’s New Zealand tour party, and second-row Chris Jones, who will play for England Saxons in America this summer.

Sharks new signing, Mathew Tait, demonstrated some of the skills that attracted the Edgeley Park coaches’ attentions during Sunday’s match, and scored a try.

Hodgson’s star is now rising. Due to the absence of rival No.10s Danny Cipriani, who has a fractured dislocation of the ankle, and Jonny Wilkinson, the Sharks fly-half started for England against the Barbarians for the first time since injuring his knee against South Africa in November 2006.

In a further boost, Hodgson also won the Gilbert Golden Boot award, for kicking the most points (201) in the league this season.

Other Sharks to receive plaudits at last week’s Guinness Premiership awards dinner were centre Luke McAlister, who was named in Sky Sports dream team, and Northampton Saints’ new acquisition Ben Foden, who came second in the Land Rover Discovery of the season category.

ANDY Vilk’s England Sevens side missed out on their final shot at cup glory this season. England, captained by Sharks winger Vilk, lost 24-14 against New Zealand in the final of the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens, the last leg of the IRB World Series, which took place at the weekend.