Hodgson is waiting to grab chance

Charlie Hodgson will make his first England start since his international career was effectively declared over in Saturday’s Calcutta Cup showdown with Scotland.

The Saracens stand-off is preparing to pilot a new-look England team featuring three debutants in centres Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt, plus either Phil Dowson or Ben Morgan at No 8. England interim head coach Stuart Lancaster will confirm his line-up this morning. At least eight of the 22-man squad will be uncapped. Hodgson, 31, has had to get used to making comebacks over the course of his decade-long England career, but admits there is a sense of this one being like a second debut.

After knee reconstructions ruled him out of both the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, Hodgson was served up as the fall guy when England were beaten 37-20 by New Zealand on the 2008 summer tour.

Rob Andrew, then England’s acting head coach, delivered the withering assessment that “bits of Test rugby are not optional” after Hodgson had been swatted aside by All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu. Hodgson was dropped and has not started a Test match since.

“It could feel like a debut,” said Hodgson, who has won 36 Test caps in ten years. “I feel very proud to be given the opportunity to be involved again. Who knows where it goes? I have learned not to look too far ahead. I never really thought (it would end with England). It was always a case of working hard and never losing belief in my own ability.

“There are times when you think like you are never going to get picked, but I have always maintained I will work hard regardless of where I am or what I am doing.

“For me it is pleasing to be back in the squad. Is it worth it? The fact that I have gone through those (hard) times and come out the other side is a good judge of character.

“I am pleased that has happened. Obviously you are not pleased you get that adversity, but the fact I have come through those things and the coaches deem that I am good enough to be here still is a good thing for me.

“I am just more relaxed about things and it put things in perspective. The way the nature of the game is (means) some things go well, some don’t. You can’t let it worry you now.”