Josh Hodge's 'full focus' target before Exeter exit

Exeter Chiefs full-back Josh Hodge left Newcastle Red Bulls to make the long trip to Devon six years ago at the backend of Covid and will return to the next season to a club very different from the one he left behind.

The North-East outfit is now owned by the Austrian-owned energy drinks giants, who have confirmed 16 new signings for next season, with more still to come.

The England A star is one of three Chiefs players who are leaving Sandy Park for the Red Bulls next season, along with centre Will Rigg and lock Rusi Tuima.

Hodge admits that a return to the North East next season was going to be hard to turn down, especially with Red Bull’s pedigree in sport.

He has helped the Chiefs qualify for the semi-finals of the PREM Rugby Cup, has endured a stop-start season with injuries, but is back firing on all cylinders as he is determined to leave with some silverware.

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Gallagher Premiership

Northampton

28 - 27

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Newcastle

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“They’ve done some good recruitment, obviously, Red Bull coming in, acquiring all those players that are then joining when I join, and it’s going to be really positive.

“But you know, it’s full focus on Exeter Chiefs and trying to get some silverware before I leave and to be honest, Newcastle’s supposedly my home club.

“That’s where I started. So if an opportunity to go back there ever arose, it would always have been a tough decision. But, you know, as Red Bull has come in, and obviously, the drive they have in other sports. It was quite exciting for me.

“So the opportunity to go back there and try to build something special was a major thing for me. I think whenever Red Bull gets involved with any sport, it’s always going to be exciting, and they always strive to be the best.

“So with the recruitment that we’ve done, and I think we can put out a real positive and a competitive team next year, it’s going to be really exciting,” he told RugbyPass.