Thailand-born winger Cael Hodgson played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2024. He represented the NOLA Gold (2022), the Dallas Jackals (2023), and Anthem RC (2024).

Born in Bangkok to a British father and a Hawaiian born mother, Hodgson was raised in Thailand until the age of 12, when he moved to Wolverhampton in England. Hodgson played rugby while attending Nottingham Trent University between 2017-2019. He joined the Worcester Warriors AASE Academy and trialed for the Scotland U18 side in 2018. He travelled to Miami for the Tropical 7s in 2019 and was offered a scholarship to Lindenwood University, which he accepted and was their top try scorer in 2020. Hodgson declared for the 2021 MLR Collegiate Draft and was selected in the 1st round, 8th overall by the New England Free Jacks and, not long after the draft, was selected to the USA Selects roster for the 2021 Americas Pacific Challenge in Uruguay.

On 24th February 2024, the Free Jacks traded Hodgson to the Dallas Jackals in exchange for Salary Cap Considerations (unknown). He earned his MLR debut for the Jackals in 2022, scoring 1 try in 9 games (all starts) during the Jackals nightmare inaugural season. On 5th October 2022, the Dallas Jackals traded Hodgson to the NOLA Gold in exchange for Devereaux Ferris. He added another try in 2023, appearing in 6 games (5 starts) for the Gold.

With MLR, USA Rugby, and World Rugby partnering to create Anthem RC for the 2024 season, Hodgson found a place on the ARC roster, and started 11 of his 13 appearances during Anthem’s inaugural season, adding another try and completing 86 tackles. All of which are career highs for the 24yo. He even earned a Team of the Week selection for his performance in Round 14, when he scored his 2024 try.

achievements

• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 14
• 2021 MLR Draftee: 8th overall (1st Rd) – New England Free Jacks