Hodgson: Big chance

I see the tour as a massive opportunity for me. It is a big responsibility. This is the first opportunity I've had in a long time in an England shirt.

Charlie Hodgson
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Charlie Hodgson insists he is over a nasty facial injury and fully focused on what he accepts is a 'massive opportunity' on England's tour of New Zealand.

Hodgson performed well in England's tight victory over the Barbarians on Saturday, but was forced off before half time after suffering a nasty facial injury.

An accidental clash of heads with former All Black Jerry Collins required 13 stitches in his cheek, but the Sale fly-half has laughed off that injury.

"I picked the wrong man to clash heads with. Jerry Collins has a pretty solid head," said Hodgson.

"I saw the blood come out of my face but I wasn't concerned about any broken bones or anything like that.

"It was just a question of sorting my head out and sorting the cut out."

Focus

"You have to grin and bear it. I'm not going to get worried or concerned about it.

"I just need to refocus and go forward to New Zealand."

Focus will be Hodgson's key word as he arrived in New Zealand knowing that he has a big chance to finally nail down an England starting spot.

Since scoring a record 44 points on his debut in 2001, a combination of Johnny Wilkinson and serious injuries have wrecked Hodgson's England chances.

Hodgson missed the 2003 and 2007 World Cups and he has missed out on 50 of the 79 Tests England have played since his debut.

Now with yet another opportunity thanks to injuries to Wilkinson and Danny Cipriani, Hodgson is determined not to blow it this time in his battle with Olly Barkley to start at ten in the first Test against New Zealand next month.

"I see the tour as a massive opportunity for me," Hodgson admitted.

"It is a big responsibility. This is the first opportunity I've had in a long time in an England shirt.

"I've always maintained good belief in my ability to play and perform at this level, and I have been given another opportunity to do it.

Hope

"You never give up hope. I've just kind of accepted what happened, and you crack on with it.

"I am hoping that is the end of my bad luck with injuries, and hopefully, I will have a good few years ahead of me now."

Hodgson would have liked more playing time against the Baa-Baas in what was his first England start since November 2006, but assistant coach Mike Ford still thought he impressed before going off injured.

"He was playing very well," said Ford.

"Defensively he made a couple of good tackles and injury came from him going to the line, which we have been encouraging him to do. He kicked well, too."

England line up against the All Blacks for the first Test in Auckland on July 14.