Dylan Hodkinson

An English back-rower on the books at Sale Sharks, Dylan Hodkinson is a flanker whose game is rooted in defensive graft and the contest for possession. His value lies in the facets of rugby that rarely feature on a highlight reel: making tackles, slowing opposition ball at the breakdown, and providing an extra option in the wider channels. Sale have long built their reputation on an abrasive, hard-working pack, and back-row forwards in that setup are asked to set a physical tone and compete relentlessly for turnovers. Hodkinson fits that mould as a player who prioritises effort and consistency over flash. As he looks to establish himself more firmly in the professional ranks, the focus for a flanker of his type is to add set-piece detail and reliability to a naturally combative defensive game. Doing so would strengthen his case within a competitive Sale loose-forward group, where work rate and physicality are the price of admission.