Josh Hodgson: England hooker suffers season-ending ACL injury

England international Josh Hodgson has played his final game for Canberra Raiders, with the hooker suffering a season-ending ACL injury.

The 32-year-old will have surgery on his knee this week, which will rule him out for the remainder of 2022.

Hodgson’s career in Canberra has come to an end, with the former Hull KR hooker joining Parramatta Eels on a two-year deal from 2023.

The Hull-born dummy half has made 138 appearances for the Raiders in his eight seasons at the club.

Hodgson said: “It’s certainly not the way I wanted to finish up at Canberra.

“After a disappointing year last year, it was probably the best I’ve felt this year in terms of my body. I was feeling really fit and really fresh after a good pre-season with no internationals and no rehab.

“To do it in such a minor way and sustain such a big injury is really frustrating.

“I’ve really found a home away from home here in Canberra and I absolutely love the place. It means as much to me as my hometown club and I’ll be forever grateful to call myself Raider number #325.

“I’m gutted to go out like this, but I’ll be doing everything I can to support the boys before I leave at the end of the year.”

Josh Hodgson injury a blow to England

Hodgson’s injury is a blow to England and their World Cup hopes, too.

The Hull FC academy product has won 23 caps for Great Britain and England since making his senior international debut in 2014.

Hodgson played in the 2014 and 2016 Four Nations tournaments as well as the 2017 World Cup. He helped England reach the World Cup final in 2017 but didn’t play in the final defeat against Australia due to injury.

Whilst Hodgson’s injury is unfortunate, England do have plenty of strength in depth in the dummy half position. Daryl Clark (Warrington), Paul McShane (Castleford) and Kruise Leeming (Leeds) were named in Shaun Wane’s training squad earlier this month.

PLAY: Our free Fantasy Rugby League competition is back for 2022