Opportunity knocks for Hodgson to put himself back in the frame

There have been few occasions throughout the Yorkshireman's nine-year Test career where the cultured fly-half has been able to truly orchestrate in the manner in which he desired.

The free reign he has had across the Pennines at Sale for so long has rarely been transfered fully to the international scene but through no fault of his own, more his conservative masters.

So, witnessing at first hand England's new cavalier approach against Australia on Saturday, when Martin Johnson's liberated footballers made the famed Wallabies look almost agricultural in comparison, must have created mixed feelings.

Quick taps, attacking space, playing off the cuff and unleashing wide runners is everything the son of Halifax cherishes as opposed to the mundane kicking for percentages and turgid crashball fare. What a pity he was sat on the bench until the 78th minute helplessly watching it all unfold.

Instead, it was Toby Flood, the Leicester No10 who had the pleasure of piloting England's exciting fresh brand, leaving Hodgson – back in the reckoning this autumn after a two-year absence – eagerly awaiting an opportunity to enter the fray.

"Of course, I'd love to have been out there longer," he told the Yorkshire Post.

"But two minutes is better than nothing.

"It's great the coaches have given the boys licence to throw the ball around and be positive in what we do.

"They showed that from start to finish. They took it to the Aussies, took them on and tested them, scoring some fantastic tries as well."

Hodgson, who turned 30 on the eve of that crushing victory, hopes to receive a belated birthday present today when Johnson names his side for the showdown with Samoa.

There is a chain of thought that the manager could hand a few of his fringe players some game time before reverting to his first choice XV for the following Saturday's encounter with world champions South Africa.

The likes of replacements such as Hodgson, fellow Tyke Danny Care and Leeds Carnegie duo Hendre Fourie and Steve Thompson could all earn starts when the squad is announced at lunchtime.

Others who have not been involved at all so far this autumn, such as Bath's Matt Banahan and Stade Francais' James Haskell, are also in the frame.

However, given the vast improvements made against Australia, and with the Six Nations looming fast and the World Cup hot on its heels, Johnson may prefer to give his newly-confident charges further opportunity to augment combinations and develop extra fluency.

Hodgson, who scored an England record 44 points on his debut versus Romania in 2001 and has now earned 32 caps, would dearly love to stake his claim.

The former Bradford Grammar School pupil was only called up late for the Investec internationals because of the injury to his long-term rival Jonny Wilkinson but now has a chance to push Johnson's thinking ahead of a World Cup year.

Hodgson has yet to play in the global tournament having missed the triumphant 2003 affair with a cruciate injury and being cruelly overlooked four years later having failed to prove his fitness after rupturing the same ligament in his other knee.

But there remains no better passer in the Premiership where he is the all-time leading points scorer and his fabulous ability to fire out flat balls to either side would sit perfectly with the manner in which England are currently trying to operate.

Mike Tindall and Shontayne Hape could certainly profit from such service but Hodgson – harshly axed by Rob Andrew in 2008 for one missed tackle against the All Blacks – admits it would be difficult to leave out Flood who delivered a masterclass of his own on Saturday, perhaps usurping Wilkinson for good as England's first choice No 10.

"Toby was on fire," conceded Hodgson, who started his career with Halifax-based Old Brodleians.

"He played well with ball in hand and kicked perfect shots at goal.

"There was no reason to bring him off. I think it's obviously a difficult call for the coach with what happens regarding replacements and you just have to bide your time and hope you get an opportunity.

"But Toby had a great game out there and controlled what happened.

"All the boys played really well. It was a magnificent effort from everyone involved and it was a great feeling to get a victory like that.

"However, we can't now under-estimate Samoa. They are a good side and you'd do that at your peril.

"I don't think we'll make that many changes."

Meanwhile, Tom Palmer – who made his England debut the same year as Hodgson but has won just 17 caps since – is so excited by the international side's future that he is he yearning to be starting out all over again.

The ex-Leeds Tykes lock, 31, produced the finest display of his career against the Wallabies, finally cementing himself in Johnson's side, and is convinced the youthful team is destined for great things.

"Now is a really exciting time to be involved with England," he said.

"After the game I was thinking 'I wish I was five years younger'.

"I was sitting with Courtney Lawes at the dinner and I was a little bit envious that he is 21 and getting established in the team and it has taken me until I am 31 to do so.

"This team has an enormous amount of potential. We have seen the work we have been doing over the last six months really starting to bear fruit.

"If we keep playing the way we are playing now I think we can be a really good side."

After grabbing his chance off the bench against France in the Six Nations, the Stade Francais forward has since started both summer Tests against Australia and the autumn internationals against New Zealand and the Wallabies, his longest run in the side.

"You can't take anything for granted though," he said.

"We have put three quite good performances together in a row now but we have two more tough challenges, against Samoa and South Africa. Then the Six Nations.

"The challenge is to keep playing how we played last weekend.

"It is an exciting time to be in this squad because I think we have got the ability to keep on doing that."

Thompson keen to go the extra mile for leeds

VETERAN England international Steve Thompson is ready to go into overtime to boost Leeds Carnegie's Premiership fight.

The World Cup winner, 32, may be on international duty for another couple of weeks but he is eager to return to Headingley and help fill their hooking hole.

British Lion Andy Titterrell is out for five months following knee surgery and the struggling Yorkshire club are now short of experience in the crucial role.

"I spoke to Titts last week and told him he was a bit of a pain because it means – if we don't get another hooker – I may have to play every minute of every game," said Thompson.

"It is disappointing for him though. He's worked really hard and I get on well with him.

"We had a good thing going as we're completely different. It's a bit like me and Dylan (Hartley) at England; totally different hookers who offer different things so it works well.

"He'll get back though as he's one of those players who is so professional and loves his fitness.

"It means I've got to get back there and do a proper job for Leeds which is what I'll do.

"Coming here and playing for England I have to step up and I'll continue that when I return to Leeds."

Bottom-placed Carnegie, who face a huge Premiership encounter at Exeter on Saturday, are hoping to make a short-term signing to ease the load but, in the meantime, Phil Nilsen, 25, will make only his fifth league start at the weekend.

The Academy product was on loan at Otley for much of last season but Thompson is confident he is ready to make his presence felt.

"I've been impressed with him, especially out around the park," he said.

"He's got to work on his set pieces a little – his scrum and stuff – but he's willing to do that, has a lot of energy and really want to learn."