Warriors appoint Hodgson to give players a kickstart
FORMER Sale Sharks and England fly-half Charlie Hodgson has joined Wigan Warriors as a kicking consultant ahead of the 2018 Betfred Super League season.
Halifax-born Hodgson holds the records for most points by an England player in a Test match and slotted 970 goals across his professional career. He has recently been employed in a similar role at rugby union side London Irish.
“Charlie is very well respected in the rugby community and is an outstanding kicking coach,” said Warriors executive director Kris Radlinski.
“Our goal-kicking is an area that needs some attention and we hope that by bringing Charlie on board to work with our guys, our kicking percentage will improve in 2018.”
Wigan have struggled in the goalkicking department since Pat Richards departed the club at the end of the 2013 season. Matty Smith took over the duties for the next three years, but rejoined St Helens this time last year, leaving the club without a recognised kicker.
Coach Shaun Wane repeatedly insisted he would not sign a player purely based on their kicking credentials and George Williams, Morgan Escare, Sam Powell and Sam Tomkins all took on the responsibility for goal-kicking at different points over the 2017 season.
“I’m delighted to be linking up with Wigan Warriors,” said Hodgson.
“From my early days of watching Halifax RL, I have hugely admired what Wigan have achieved and it is an amazing opportunity to work with one of the most decorated club sides in the history of the game.”