Hodgson and White look to switch codes to clinch World Cup places

Contemplation: Charlie Hodgson is pondering Rugby League
14 April 2012

England fly half Charlie Hodgson and Scotland captain Jason White will consider switching to Rugby League this summer in their fight to find a way into the World Cup.

The Sale pair, whose attendance at the tournament, has been threatened by serious knee injuries now hope to be available for short-term contracts in Superleague during the final stage of their rehabilitation. Their fitness for the World Cup will almost certainly hinge on a series of out-of-season matches.

Neither will be back before the Premiership season finishes at the end of May.

Their dilemma then will be where to find the competitive rugby necessary to give them sufficient match fitness before their countries' pre-World Cup friendlies in August.

One option is to go halfway round the world and join a club in New Zealand, the other is to stay put and find a temporary Rugby League solution on their own doorstep.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden said: "In Jason's case, we have to look at playing opportunities in the summer before our two warm-up matches. Whether that's in Rugby League or in the Southern Hemisphere, who knows? Those are avenues we will explore through our contacts in League, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

"There is no way we would put anything in place until we know where Jason in terms of completing his recovery. When he comes back to fitness, which he will before the World Cup, then we will have to find him game-time so he can build up confidence on the pitch."

Hodgson, recovering from the same reconstructive knee surgery as White, hopes to start training again in June.

"The injury takes a minimum six-month recovery and I'm pleased with the progress so far," he said.

"I hope to be playing again sometime in July and then I will need some games if I am to be involved in England's pre-World Cup fixtures.

"Getting those games would mean going overseas, unless I can arrange to play some Rugby League for a month. I need something like that if I am to give myself the best possible shot at being in contention for the World Cup.

"Jason is about a week ahead of me in recovery and we've spoken about the question of finding a few summer matches. I am thinking of all the options but everything depends on how the rehab goes. I realise it will be no easy task to get into the World Cup squad because I know how long it took me after a similar operation on the left knee."

The damage, caused by what appeared to be an innocuous slip against Italy at Twickenham during the 2003 Six Nations, took eight months to repair and cost him a World Cup winner's medal as part of the England squad in Australia.

England, who have discarded his successor, Andy Goode, from both their senior and second-string squads, need Hodgson back to augment a trio of novice fly halves - Toby Flood, Shane Geraghty and Ryan Lamb of Gloucester.

The possibility of his occasional half-back partner at Gloucester, Rory Lawson, featuring in next month's Calcutta Cup match at Twickenham loomed larger yesterday with Scotland losing a second scrum-half.

Mike Blair, hurt during Edinburgh's home win over Llanelli last week, will be out of action for at least six weeks after damaging a shoulder.

His loss is a double blow for the Scots, already resigned to being without Chris Cusiter.

The victim of an off-the-ball against the Pacific Islanders at Murrayfield two months ago, the Borders' Lion is not expected back from a dislocated shoulder until the home match against Wales on February 10, at the earliest.

The Glasgow pair, Sam Pinder and Graeme Beveridge, are ahead of Lawson in the revised pecking order.

England are also in some danger of losing a scrum-half.

Shaun Perry, inactive since damaging a rib cartilage for Bristol against Bath a fortnight ago, will be cutting it fine at best for the Scotland match.

He will not be back until January 27 at the earliest, a week before the Six Nations begins.

"Shaun is making good progress and healing quickly," Bristol head coach Richard Hill said.

"We have targeted the Northampton match on January 27 for his return in which event he should be in good shape for England."

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