Josh Hodge to rejoin Newcastle Red Bulls

Josh Hodge will return to Newcastle Red Bulls on a three-year contract, with the Exeter Chiefs and England A full-back set for a second spell on Tyneside from the 2026/27 season.

The move brings the former Newcastle academy player back to the club where he began his professional career.

Hodge has spent the last five seasons with Exeter Chiefs after leaving Newcastle in 2020. During his time in Devon, he has scored 29 tries in 89 appearances across competitions, adding goal-kicking points as part of his contribution.

He first caught wider attention at Newcastle by scoring a length-of-the-field try on his first-team debut in 2020.

Hodge has also progressed through England’s age-grade system. He was the leading points scorer at the 2019 World Rugby Under-20 Championship, landing 24 successful kicks from 24.

This season, he scored a try for England A against the All Blacks XV, underlining his continued involvement at representative level.

Hodge said he felt there was “unfinished business” in Newcastle and welcomed the chance to return home, describing the next phase as an exciting time for the club.

“I'm really looking forward returning to Newcastle Red Bulls.

“There is a lot of unfinished business for me in Newcastle, and with Red Bull coming in it’s exciting times for the club. I can't wait to see what we can do over the next three seasons.

“I knew that if I got the opportunity to go back to Newcastle, where it all started for me as a professional rugby player, it would be hard to turn it down.

“And for the fans, I cannot wait to be back playing in front of the northern crowd. The north is my home, and the Newcastle supporters are incredible.”