Learning process at Hull KR is proving ideal for David Hodgson

The former Great Britain international will put on his boots once more this Sunday as he takes part – no doubt just fleetingly – in his testimonial game against one of his old sides Huddersfield Giants.

He is still only 34 and could probably still hold his own in Super League 19 months after his last game for the Robins.

But Hodgson, embarking on his second season as one of head coach Chris Chester’s assistants at KC Lighstream Stadium, told The Yorkshire Post: “I don’t miss playing one bit.

“That’s why I retired; I was always on the physio bed so that was my body telling me it had had enough.

“I’m enjoying coaching now. I get a lot of support from Chris and Willie (Poching) who are always helping me out.

“Chris has given me a bit more to do this year and he tells me when I’m doing things well and also when I’m not.

“It’s all about learning and I’m enjoying doing that. It should be good Sunday, though, and I’m really grateful to the club and everyone for putting this together.

“I don’t know how long I’ll be playing for – it’s more about the players as they’ve had a long pre-season so to get to the stage where they finally see the light and an actual game is exciting for them.”

Hodgson averaged slightly more than a try every two games during his Super League career, scoring 184 in 366 appearances for five clubs.

Starting out at Halifax, he followed Chester to Wigan Warriors where he earned international selection and played in two Grand Finals before joining Huddersfield in 2008.

Hodgson scored 65 times in just 93 games for the Giants ahead of a switch to hometown Rovers four years later where he once more showed his potency.

He endeared himself to the Robins’ faithful, particularly after his famous late match-winning try against Hull at Magic Weekend during his debut season.

It is fitting, though, that Huddersfield are their opponents tomorrow in east Hull.

“I did play some good rugby at Giants,” he said.

“I was lucky enough to play with a quality full-back in Brett Hodgson, who created a lot of chances for me.

“We had some good centres there, too, and I had some happy times. I managed to play a Challenge Cup final (2009) as well and enjoyed my rugby there.”

Jermaine McGillvary, the 27-year-old Huddersfield winger who topped the Super League try-scoring charts last season and then made his England debut during the third Test win over New Zealand, has said this week he would not be the player he is now without Hodgson’s advice during their time together at John Smith’s Stadium.

McGillvary is set to play on Sunday and Hodgson said: “He’s a good player is Jermaine and when he first came through he was quite raw.

“But he had his head switched on and was willing to learn and do the hard things to make himself better. He’s probably put himself down a little bit there; it’s alright myself telling him things, but if he’s not willing to work and do the things required, he wouldn’t be where he is now.

“I’m really pleased for him and he’s done great.”

Rovers, meanwhile, are not short of high-calibre wingers themselves.

Josh Mantellato and Ken Sio amassed 50 tries between them in their debut campaign last term after moving over from the NRL, while Kieran Dixon and Ben Cockayne are also in their ranks.

But the club did endure mixed fortunes, reaching their first Challenge Cup final since 1986 but then losing at Wembley by a record 50-0 to Leeds Rhinos.

They also failed to reach the top eight, something they must remedy in 2016, their campaign starting at home to Castleford Tigers on February 7.

Meanwhile, captain Terry Campese insists he has not suffered any setbacks in his rehabilitation from major knee surgery, despite reports suggesting otherwise.

In his The Yorkshire Post blog, the Australian stand-off wrote: “I saw a specialist in Ireland over the new year and the results have come back pretty positive.

“He’s given me a few things to work on, so I’m putting in the hard yards in the gym to improve the strength in my knee.

“I’m out running on the field – not easy with all the rain and mud – and everything’s going to plan.”