27-year-old former youth rugby star dies at game
GERRY BRAIDEN November 09 2006

A popular former rugby youth international has died during a game.
Craig Hodgkinson, who won three national championships with Glasgow Hawks, collapsed 20 minutes into a match in Devonport, Plymouth, on Tuesday evening.

The 27-year-old Royal Marine was taken to the city's Derriford Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The cause of death is still unknown.
News of the former Scotland under-18 player's death last night stunned many in the rugby fraternity.

Scotland captain Jason White took time out of preparations for Saturday's autumn Test series match against Romania at Murrayfield to express his "extreme sadness" at the death.

He said: "On behalf of the Scotland team and everyone connected with Scottish Rugby, I extend my sincere sympathy to Craig's family and friends."

Former Scotland player Shade Munro, who was head coach at Glasgow Hawks when Mr Hodgkinson was the club's top scorer in three campaigns and is now assistant coach at the Glasgow Warriors professional side, said the death was "absolutely devastating news for everyone connected with the sport north of the border".

He added: "The bottom line is that Craig was a great player – and a great guy into the bargain. It is a real tragedy that he should die so young. He was a larger-than-life lad who endeared himself to all who knew him as well as being a hardy individual on the pitch."

Glasgow Hawks spokesman Hugh Barrow added: "Craig played a major part in the club's elevation to the status of national champions for three seasons in succession."

A minute's silence will be observed immediately before Saturday's home league match against Aberdeen.

Mr Hodgkinson, from Strathblane in Stirlingshire, first made his mark in rugby playing for the 1st XV at the High School of Glasgow, eventually graduating to the senior Glasgow Hawks squad where he developed a reputation as an accomplished kicker.

He was part of the Hawks' squad which toured South Africa unbeaten in 2003 and maintained his interest in the sport after joining the Royal Marines shortly after, playing at stand-off for the Royal Navy Development XV.

Most recently, he had been a landing-craft driver aboard HMS Bulwark based in Plymouth.

Witnesses at Tuesday's game said Mr Hodgkinson fell to his knees during the match against a Cornwall side, after which medics rushed on to the pitch.

As the players were removed from the field, the medical team tried pumping the former Glasgow High School pupil's heart, before trying in vain with a defibrillator.

The cause of death is still not known. A post-mortem examination is expected to take place today.

The coach of Mr Hodgkinson's Royal Navy side said camera footage of the game, which was watched by more than 200 spectators, would be checked to see if there had been any serious physical clashes.

Glasgow Hawks director of rugby John Roxburgh knew both Mr Hodgkinson and his father, John, for many years and met them together as recently as last month.

He said the death had left many within the sport numb.

Mr Roxburgh said: "The news has been rippling through the rugby fraternity and all who knew Craig are just devastated. The only enemies he had were on opposing teams and that normally only lasted for 80 minutes.

"He was home a few months ago and played a few games. It was great to see him. I'm sure all the boys in the club will be hoping he is laid to rest up here so they can pay their respects."

Colin Mair, the rector of Glasgow High, former full-back for West of Scotland and Mr Hodgkinson's coach when he was at the school, added to the tributes.

He said: "Everyone connected with the High School of Glasgow is shocked to hear of the tragic news of Craig's death. He was a fine young man, a very talented sportsman and was extremely popular with his peers. Our thoughts are very much with his family."

At his home in Strathblane, Mr Hodgkinson's father asked that all inquiries about his son be directed to the Royal Navy.

A Royal Navy spokesman said: "Our sympathies lie with the relatives, friends and family of the Royal Marine who died."

This article was originally posted on 9-Nov-2006, 08:12 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Chris Maxwell on 9-Nov-2006, 13:19.