Stan Hodgson obituary

My friend Stan Hodgson, who has died aged 86, played his entire rugby career for Durham City, appeared 11 times for England, and toured with the British Lions in South Africa. In an era when hookers were selected for their ability to strike for the ball, his mongoose-like reflexes and incredible suppleness made him one of the best. In club and county matches it was not unusual for him to win almost all of the scrums, on one occasion leaving a seasoned Yorkshire hooker in tears.In 1962 Stan broke his leg in his first match on a tour of South Africa with the Lions, but was asked to remain for th…