No ‘rock star’ but Hodgson is finding his voice at Edinburgh
His coach says he lacks rock star credentials but Jamie Hodgson has performed well since being thrust on to centre stage by Edinburgh.
The young second-row was one of the stalwarts of the away win over Sale Sharks in the Heineken Champions Cup and is expected to be in the mix on Saturday when Edinburgh host Glasgow in the 1872 Cup.
The 22-year-old is enjoying a breakthrough season, making the most of opportunities afforded him while the bigshots were on Scotland duty.
“He came through the academy, a bit under the radar, and has worked really hard at his game,” said Richard Cockerill, his boss at Murrayfield.
“He’ s one of the unsung heroes really. He’ s worked hard a this conditioning, worked hard at his training and he’s a good young player.
“He probably wasn’t regarded as one of the rock star players but he has quietly gone about his business, improving with every opportunity he gets. He’s a very popular member of the squad and he’s turning into a good Pro14 professional.”
Cockerill describes the Livingston-born lock as a “bit of a late developer” and has urged him to work on his athleticism. Hodgson concurs with his coach’s assessment and will keep plugging away.
“What Cockers said was on the money, really,” said Hodgson. “I’m a late developer who has worked hard and I’ve still got lots of ways to improve.”
He is signed on a partnership contract with Watsonians and played for them in the Super6 last season. But his big break came a couple of years ago when Cockerill was looking for some extra bodies.
“I went into a training camp with Edinburgh just because they were short of numbers,” Hodgson explained. “I trained my socks off for a few weeks and then Cockers said you can stay, and the year after that I was offered the partnership which was a great stepping stone.”
Asked if he saw himself as rock star or road crew, Hodgson demurred. “I don’t know. I’m a hard worker and that shows in my game, I get through a lot of work. But there’s a lot of players who’ve had success in doing that, particularly in the engine room at 4 and 5. It’s an underrated job but something I like doing.”