Both universities had extremely strong intakes that year, with Cambridge boasting several world champions and the Oxford crew including 2004 Olympic silver medallist Barney Williams and eventual Beijing and London coxless four crewmate Pete Reed.

He occupied the same seat a year later when the Eight won the World Cup event at Lucerne, and a bronze medal at the championships in Milan.

Following the retirement of Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell and Ed Coode, a new coxless four was formed with Andrew, his Oxford crewmate Pete Reed, Alex Partridge and Olympic Champion Steve Williams.

Hodge went on to win gold with this crew (Tom James was promoted in place of Alex Partridge) at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, defending Great Britain's title in the event.

The crew of Hodge, Reed, Tom James and Alex Gregory went on to win the gold medal at the Olympic rowing regatta[4] and beat their Australian rivals who had pushed them hard through the season.

After an inconsistent season, the British eight won Olympic gold on the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas in Rio over Germany and the Netherlands.

Just hours after winning the 2005 World Cup event at Dorney Lake, Eton, Hodge made a guest appearance in St Catherine's College 1st VIII, who were competing in Summer Eights.