Exeter Chiefs proved people wrong with emphatic Gallagher Premiership Rugby victory over Saracens - Josh Hodge
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 14/10/2023 at 17:48 GMT
Josh Hodge scored a hat-trick as Exeter Chiefs stunned reigning Gallagher Premiership champions Saracens on the opening weekend of the season. In a new era for Exeter, Hodge believes Saturday’s statement win has proved people wrong as they embark on a period of transition. “People may have thought Saracens would come down here and put points on us, but we put it against them,” he told TNT Sports.
EXETER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Josh Hodge and Tom Cairns of Exeter Chiefs celebrate following the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Exeter Chiefs and Saracens at Sandy Park on October 14, 2023 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
Image credit: Eurosport
Exeter Chiefs’ standout star Josh Hodge said his side proved people wrong following their emphatic win against Saracens on the opening weekend of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby season.
Hodge was named the player of the match for his scintillating performance as he scored three tries in a 65-10 win over the reigning champions.
Hodge, who started in a fresh Exeter back three and was dubbed as “one to watch” by the club’s director of rugby Rob Baxter before the game, was not surprised with how dominant the Chiefs were.
“It’s been a long time coming,” he told TNT Sports. “We’ve had the Premiership Cup to build and I’m glad the boys have put in a performance today.
“People may have thought Saracens would come down here and put points on us, but we put it against them, we’ve had fun with it and put smiles on faces and we’ve had fun out there.
“It’s been really good. I’ve learnt a lot from the main boys in the last couple of seasons and to finally put it into action today with such a young bunch and to prove people wrong and have fun with it is really exciting.
“I can’t wait for the rest of the season.”
Exeter are going through a period of transition after seeing 11 players who featured in their 2019/20 double-winning side depart the club.
Hodge is one of the players who has benefited from the club’s new-look team, and said pre-season helped the young squad to gel before their blistering start to the campaign.
“It’s been amazing, you only get so many minutes in a week to get better and that’s what we’ve done,” he said.
“Those four months have been a lot of hard work, a lot of young boys coming in and that’s obviously brought in a lot of energy and they’re all motivated to get better as an individual, and as a team it’s come together really nicely.”
- - -
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including Gallagher Premiership Rugby, the Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article