Ted Hill made his playing return for England during the Calcutta Cup win last weekend (Image: Getty)
Ted Hill reckons the calamity of Worcester’s collapse hardened him up to take the knocks Test rugby hands out after finally returning to the international stage. The back row, who can also play lock, was forced to move to Bath in 2022 when his Warriors, his boyhood club, went to the wall.
If that was a kick in the guts he suffered more from bosses Eddie Jones and Steve Borthwick who cold-shouldered him consistently from his debut in 2018. Hill made his debut against Japan seven years ago and won a second cap against USA in 2021 but was left on the shelf until coming off the bench in last week’s 16-15 Calcutta Cup win.
Fin Smith and Ollie Lawrence, plus Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe, were ex-Worcester players involved at Twickenham. And Hill insists the Worcester experience was the making of him and toughened him up for any curve balls rugby throws at him.
The 25-year-old said: “It can’t help but do that. When you are a youngster, you are seeing all the senior guys talking about all their experiences. You think ‘blimey’, they have moved clubs and done this and you are sat there at Worcester, where you have grown up and come through the academy. But it can all change very, very quickly. It was hectic but those things give you an experience and a confidence so when things are challenging in your career you know you can bounce back.
“We always mention it to each other, saying this is a mad thing how it has all worked out. Me and Ollie at the same club in Bath and Fin doing so well at Northampton, We know it was an unfortunate circumstance. Those guys have done exceptionally well and it is an inspiration for me to know how well they have taken it. I am proud of those guys and we got a picture together with the Calcutta Cup which was cool.”
Don’t miss…
Ted Hill is hoping to feature more frequently in the upcoming matches (Image: Getty)
With George Martin ruled out for the rest of the Six Nations, Hill can expect more game time against Italy next Sunday than a handful of minutes as a replacement.
Described by captain Maro Itoje as Super Ted and Clark Kent last week, Hill worried he would be left roasting on the bench until Borthwick finally threw him on for the last knockings of the Scotland game.
He added: “There’s always that fear towards the end. It has been a long time…2021 was the last time I played so that time has just been about playing well for my club and seeing where it puts me. You think you’re not going to get on but luckily Steve put me on so it was good.
“It has been difficult. I’ve had conversations with the England guys throughout that period, there’s not been silence which is nice.
“In every single position there’s people breathing down their neck and dying to get an opportunity. For people in my position who are waiting for their chance, it’s about keeping plugging away.”