Bath Rugby back-rower Ted Hill has certainly had a rollercoaster season, however he is hungrier than ever to succeed.
Following his arrival from Worcester last season, he quickly established himself as a mainstay in Johann van Graan’s side. Following this, expectations were rather high for Hill, however a hamstring injury in October stunted his momentum.
“It was definitely tough,” Hill told Rugby Nause News. “I made an injury journal, where I was just documenting how each week went. It was something to pass the time; and you look back on it in weeks like this and you notice that there was definitely some tough times and some difficult periods.”
After having surgery, Hill underwent a significant rehab programme; but he returned to full fitness during the Six Nations break. He gained some vital minutes in a friendly in March, and before we knew it he was back to his best.
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He has once again established himself as a key man in the Bath back-row, forming a formidable unit alongside Sam Underhill and Alfie Barbeary in the process; but he detailed how his five-month lay-off made him hungrier upon his return.
“It’s definitely made me hungrier. I think whenever you come back from a long term injury, you realise how lucky you are to be playing and how lucky you are to be training day to day, and you don’t want to lose that. I’ve definitely come back from it hungrier.”
Ted Hill on possible England call-ups
His form for Bath has since put him back in the frame for an England recall, however he is still yet to receive a phone call from Steve Borthwick about possible inclusion this summer.
“First things first; with Bath I’ve always said if I can put my performances first with Bath, and play well, then those things will hopefully take care of themselves, but I’ve had nothing as of yet.”
Despite still having the best years ahead of him, Hill has been exposed to the international stage. He made his England debut as a 19-year-old, in a test against Japan, and he added his second cap in 2021 against the USA.
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“When I look back to the game against Japan, it feels like a different lifetime ago now. It was probably too early for me. I had only played about five or six Premiership games, and then I was into the camp. It was a little bit early for me.
“I’m different now though. I’m a different player and a different person. I think I’ve grown in both of those areas.”
Whilst he feels it came too early in his career, he said the experience was still great to have under his belt: “It’s such a valuable experience, being around those elite level players. It shows you what you need to do to get to that point.”
With Ollie Chessum out of the picture this summer through injury, there is a vacancy in the England number six shirt. Could Hill make it his own in Japan and New Zealand?
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