Hull Kingston Rovers assistant coach David Hodgson's selflessness has been highlighted by former England star Jermaine McGillvary.

Hodgson was at Huddersfield Giants from 2008 to 2011 before returning to his place of birth Hull to play for Rovers - while McGillvary stayed at Huddersfield after making his debut in 2010 all the way through to the end of 2023.

In an interview reflecting on his career, on the League Express Podcast, the former England winger used the word "legend" to describe Hodgson when his name came up.

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McGillvary said: "Dave Hodgson used to help me with reading the game. I basically took his spot. And he'd still be in training saying things like 'the play before the half-back kicks, he is going to look towards where he's going to be kicking'. With little cues like that, he used to help me."

McGillvary, who played for England in the 2017 World Cup final defeat against Australia, was also asked about the current England set-up. He said: "There are a lot of young players coming through, it's a top team. The backs have improved massively. I'd say the middles, compared to the O'Loughglins, James Grahams, Sam Burgess, Jamie Peacocks, we are sort of missing that enforcer type of a middle even though the middles are top.

"Hopefully there are more coming through. That's what set us apart back then. Our backs were good but, compared to the Australia backs, they maybe had a little bit over us. But our pack was outstanding. We need to come again in that sense."

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