My Life in Rugby: Paul Hodgson – former England, London Irish, Worcester and Bristol scrum-half
England selection depended on how London Irish were playing. And once we started knocking around in the top four and making Heineken Cup semi-finals, the call came in 2008 under Brian Ashton when I was 26 and it just felt like a natural progression of my career.
It was the final game of the Six Nations against Ireland and I was on the bench alongside Jonny Wilkinson which certainly wasn’t a bad thing!
With 15 or 20 minutes to go I got my chance and just tried to have the most positive impact I could. It all went past in a blur but I’m very proud and tried to savour every moment.
The next day I was back on the bench for Irish and ended up playing against Wasps, so I had to keep the night quite tame even though it was my first cap!
The tour of Australia in 2010 was great – I was part of the midweek team that managed a win and draw.
It was a few weeks before my wedding as well, so I also had the excitement of that. When you’re playing professional rugby, having a long career and playing into your 30s is the dream.
You can’t imagine what it’s like playing for England – when you’re a youngster it’s so distant that it’s not achievable but then it’s within your grasp and then it happens.
A few things have to fall your way like the form of the club and it’s slightly disappointing not to be involved in a World Cup but I’m a glass half-full guy who tries to take positives out of things.
I see myself as being fortunate to have represented my country nine times, not moaning because I didn’t get 50 caps.
I had a fantastic time at each of my clubs, Bristol was a great place for me to learn with legends like Agustin Pichot and Felipe Contepomi.
The move to Irish was a no-brainer really, moving back home to friends and family and we had some great times in that team.
A Premiership final in 2008, and Heineken Cup semi-final a year later, we were overachieving really.
We needed to get to that stage three or four more times in the following five or six years and not being able to do that was the real annoyance.
A lot of the players in that great period were leaving by the time I left Irish, so it didn’t feel like I was leaving everyone behind. Everything changed once I had a young family and I decided pretty early on in 2011/12 season that I was going to leave because it was best for them.
Worcester was great to get away from the hustle and bustle and be with the family but relegation last season was a real disappointment. But Dean Ryan has got the vision to bring them back.
And, as for me, it’s fantastic to be back at Irish as academy coach. I think it’ll serve me well having been away for two years – I’ve really absorbed a lot in my time at Worcester so that I can be the best coach I can.
It’s good that I’ve been away but now I’m returning home and I’m really looking forward to being alongside my best mates in rugby, Nick Kennedy and Declan Danaher.
*This article was first published in The Rugby Paper on June 15.
