Worcester Warriors flanker Ted Hill is keen to show ‘best version’ of himself to Eddie Jones after his England squad call-up.
The 20-year-old has been capped by Jones once, in England’s autumn series against Japan before the World Cup.
Unfortunately, Hill didn’t make the cut for the Australian’s squad for Japan but with a number of fresh faces in the squad he looks likely to be an important player in the next world cup cycle.
How did Hill find out?
The former England U20’s international explained his initial reaction to his call up to the senior squad, saying: “I’m really pleased, I found out a day and a half ago.
“The administration lady for the England set up put me into a WhatsApp group with the rest of the team and just gave us a few details on what we need to do, where we need to be and what to bring.
“I’ve always said for me I want to play well at Worcester and show my best self. Keep improving week in week out. This is one of those things you aim for but in the forefront of my mind is playing well for the club. I’m obviously massively pleased to have been even thought of in the same group as all the other guys,” said Hill.
The England boss named eight uncapped players in his first squad since their World Cup final loss to South Africa.
“There’s a lot of new guys in there. There are guys that have put their mark down on the Premiership and are playing really well for their clubs and they definitely deserve a go. It’ll be exciting to see how they go,” said the Warriors flanker.
? “I found out last night when I was added to the WhatsApp group!”@Ted_Hill26 talks about today’s @EnglandRugby call-up ? pic.twitter.com/3LuE38bCF1
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) January 20, 2020
Hill’s second opportunity with England
Ted Hill’s selection for the Autumn squad in 2018 did not offer the opportunities he may have liked but with the injury to Billy Vunipola he could get more opportunities.
“It was tough the first time because I’d played so little Premiership games. It was a great experience so you just go into camp and try to learn all the details as quick as possible, learn off older guys and just about showing the best version of yourself,” Hill said.
Vunipola picked up an arm injury in Saracens’ Champions Cup victory over Racing 92 at the weekend. This led Jones to not picking a specialist number eight which poses many questions about the back row he shall select. However, Hill feels comfortable with whatever is thrown at him, saying:
“I haven’t had too much contact in that sense. There probably isn’t a specific eight as we’d see it. He’s always got his plan and always has plans up his sleeve of things he wants to do and try out but I think there’s more than enough talent in there to go across the back row.
“I’ve played eight before. Obviously, I play six a lot for Worcester and that’s my main position. I feel like if he wants me to play there then why not. I feel I would give it a go.”
Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons delighted
Hill has been a star at Sixways this season and his Director of Rugby believes the call up is long overdue.
? “Seeing Ted, Ollie and others making it into the first-team shows the younger guys the vision we have and I want them all to stay.
Alan Solomons spoke to the media about young talent and international call-ups ahead of a big home derby with Wasps on Saturday. ⬇️
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) January 21, 2020
“It’s fantastic news and fully deserved. I hope that he makes it into the squad for the Six Nations Tests.
“England have a powerful squad and Eddie Jones has some particularly tough decisions to make in the loose forwards.
“But Ted was outstanding for us at the weekend. He’s extremely level-headed and is a good team man who loves Warriors and who has grown up in Worcester,” said Solomons.
Solomons believes that many Warriors can follow Hill’s path and gain international recognition, saying: “Ted is a fantastic example. First that he’s been a regular here having come through the ranks from Worcester to England.
“It sends out a huge message when a young guy comes out of school and makes it to international rugby. We have some really good youngsters and it’s important to see that they are getting game time.
“Our vision for the club is that we build it through the medium of the academy.
“The important part is that the young players see it happening. Seeing Ted, Ollie Lawrence and Nick David making it into the first-team shows the younger guys the vision we have and I want them all to stay.”
England’s squad will meet for the first time tomorrow then fly out to Portugal for a brief warm weather training camp. They will then return ahead of their first game of the Six Nations against France on November 2.
“Main photo credit”
