OTLEY have confirmed the signing of Huddersfield full back Tom Hodson.

While the Cross Greeners finished eighth in National League Two North last season, Huddersfield finished bottom and were relegated.

Hodson, who can also play on the wing, at centre or fly half, returned to union after cutting his teeth in rugby league with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Featherstone Rovers and Doncaster, but as a junior he played union for Sandal from the age of six.

He signed for Wakefield as a 19-year-old before playing for Doncaster in the Championship, but it was with Fev that he truly blossomed, scoring 12 tries in 15 appearances before being lured to play union for Huddersfield by coach Ian Shuttleworth.

Huddersfield's head coach Gareth Lewis said: “It is obviously very disappointing to lose a player of Tom’s quality.

“I had hoped he would remain with us, but he has his own reasons for moving on.

“He has been an outstanding player for us over the last three seasons and has put in a number of match-winning performances.

“However, the team is evolving and I’d personally like to thank Tom for his efforts and wish him well for the future.

“He will always be welcome back at Lockwood Park.”

The fixtures for next season are out, and Otley face derby rivals Wharfedale in the first league match at Cross Green on Saturday, September 10, with the return being at The Avenue on Saturday, December 17, which prefaces a two-week break.

Otley RUFC's secretary Marc Lawrence said: "Maybe we can catch Wharfedale cold but we are expecting Wharfedale, Stourbridge, Sedley Park, Sale and Caldy to be up there."

On December 10, Otley host Harrogate, with the return at Rudding Park being on Saturday, April 22.

Otley start their 2016-17 league season at Sale on Saturday, September 3, and finish it against the same opponents on Saturday, April 29.

OTLEY RUFC FIXTURES 2016-17

NATIONAL LEAGUE TWO NORTH

September 2016

Sat 03 Sale A

Sat 10 Wharfedale H

Sat 17 Sedgley Park A

Sat 24 Chester H

October 2016

Sat 01 Caldy A

Sat 08 Preston Grasshoppers H

Sat 15 Scunthorpe A

Sat 22 Hinckley A

Sat 29 Tynedale H

November 2016

Sat 05 South Leicester A

Sat 12 Luctonian H

Sat 19 Sheffield Tigers A

Sat 26 Stourbridge H

December 2016

Sat 03 Leicester Lions A

Sat 10 Harrogate H

Sat 17 Wharfedale A

January 2017

Sat 07 Sedgley Park H

Sat 14 Chester A

Sat 21 Caldy H

Sat 28 Preston Grasshoppers A

February 2017

Sat 04 Scunthorpe H

Sat 11 Hinckley H

Sat 18 Tynedale A

March 2017

Sat 04 South Leicester H

Sat 11 Luctonians A

Sat 25 Sheffield Tigers H

April 2017

Sat 01 Stourbridge A

Sat 08 Leicester Lions H

Sat 22, Harrogate A

Sat 29 Sale FC H