Baxter predicts big things for Hodge

By Mark Stevens
31/1/23

Rob Baxter is backing Josh Hodge to play a central role in the future of Exeter Chiefs after the young back put pen to paper on a new, long-term deal with the Gallagher Premiership club.

The 22-year-old – who arrived from Newcastle Falcons in the summer of 2020 – is seen as one of the leading lights in what Baxter genuinely believes can be the next winning generation to grace Sandy Park.

“We started talking a while ago with Josh, but it didn’t take long for us – or him for that matter – to agree on things,” explained Baxter. “We had a good chat about where the playing group was going, including chatting about the boys who are leaving, but the key for both of us was that we wanted him to stay and to further develop his game with us.

“We know Josh is hugely ambitious and that he wants to reach the very top end of the game. Our aim as a club and as coaches is to help him in every way to achieve his goals but, at the same time, build a new and exciting young group of players of which he can play a key part in that.”

Hodge has shown already this season his growing emergence within the first-team ranks, appearing prominently for the Chiefs in both the Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup.

“Anyone who watches us regularly will see just how much Josh has developed this season,” added Baxter. “His decision-making, his game understanding and the effect he is having on each game he plays is growing all the time. With his age and his ability, the world really is his oyster as to where and how far he can go in the game.”

The news that Hodge is hanging around Devon will certainly be welcomed by the Chiefs supporters, who in recent weeks have seen a number of the current frontline stars announce they are heading to pastures new next season.

“Josh is exactly the right age to be here for the next ten years,” added Baxter. “Let’s hope the next ten years for him include six or seven finals because that is what we want to build. We’ve had a great period with this current group and let’s hope we get even more opportunities with them before the end of the season that we can fight for and we can grab.

“At the same time, this could be season number one in Josh’s success story, so let’s do our best to go out and achieve that. Moving forward, the key to whatever we do, whether that be as a team or as a player, is that we stay on that upward curve. If you do that, eventually you will hit every goal you want, so let’s create the best possible platform for guys like Josh to go out and shine.”