Scrum-half Hodgson signs for Warriors (From Worcester News)

Scrum-half Hodgson signs for Warriors

3:30pm Tuesday 21st February 2012 in Sport By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

Paul Hodgson: In action for London Irish.

ENGLAND Saxons scrum-half Paul Hodgson becomes the latest high-profile player to buy into Richard Hill’s Worcester Warriors revolution.

The 29-year-old London Irish half-back, who has won nine full caps for England, will move to Sixways at the end of this season and has agreed terms on a three-year deal.

After eight years with the Madjeski Stadium outfit, the talented number nine will battle for a starting berth with Shaun Perry and Jonny Arr in what will be an impressive pool of scrum-halves.

However, Hill revealed that the capture of Hodgson will spell the end of academy-produced scrum-half Ollie Frost’s Warriors career.

Hodgson, who is currently part of the Saxons elite player squad, said: “Worcester Warriors are an ambitious club with a strong coaching set-up and really developing playing squad.

“After meeting with Richard, I truly understood the aspirations of the club and I’m looking forward to playing my part in that development.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my eight years at London Irish and I have been lucky enough to play with some fantastic team-mates and under a great management team.”

Having joined Irish from Bristol Shoguns in 2004, Hodgson went on to make more than 150 appearances for Toby Booth’s side as well as helping guide the Saxons to triumph in the 2011 Churchill Cup at Sixways. He also featured in recent Saxons games with Ireland Wolfhounds and Scotland ‘A’.

Warriors head coach Hill added: “Paul is a hugely competitive, positive and enthusiastic player who has a fantastic attitude - he has huge drive to win at absolutely everything he does.

“He is a scrum-half who is lively around the park, knows how to control a game and puts his body on the line for the good of the team. He is a great character to have on the field and I know his enthusiasm will be infectious and will impact on those around him.

“We are determined to only bring people to the Warriors who will give 100 per cent in every game they play and will improve our squad. Paul will do just that and has the work ethic and winning mentality to push the club forward.”

After being an unused replacement against France and Scotland in consecutive matches in 2008, Hodgson earned his reward with a first full England cap, off the bench, the following week in the 33-10 win over Ireland at Twickenham.

He waited more than a year for his next caps - against Argentina in June 2009 - but appeared in all three Investec Challenge Series games in the subsequent autumn and in the first three 2010 Six Nations matches.