Teenage England debut came too soon – Hill

Ted Hill, the flanker who won the Premiership, claims he is “a completely different player and person” now that he has made his England debut as a teenager and that he may have been thrust into international rugby too soon.

Hill won his first England cap in 2018 at the age of 19, but he has only added three more in the seven years since, his last appearance in the 2025 Six Nations against Wales.

Hill now feels like he can kick it off in an England shirt after a stellar season with Bath, which won the title.

He told BBC Sport, “I want to be able to take that step up because I haven’t done anything at the international level.”

In preparation for the summer tour of Argentina and the USA, Hill has a chance to do that on Saturday when England play France in a non-cap game.

“Being in a camp is a unique experience, and I have always had a lot of respect for those who have done it and succeeded because it is difficult work,” he continued.

Hill made his England debut in the fall of 2018 under former head coach Eddie Jones, but he claims “100%” was a premature choice.

He said, “When I look back on getting my international cap at 19,” I feel a radically different player and person from that time.

After six or seven Premiership games, I was chosen, and it was at a level I almost didn’t expect.

As you get older and learn what works best for you, you just get older and get better at it. And how many involvements can I get in a game has always been the focus.

“Steve [Borthwick] wants me to run and work hard, which is a requirement at the international level. It’s just about being aware of what I can do differently [than the other back row players] and trying to make that happen.

Hill’s call-up for England came as Bath, which had a 29-year wait to capture the Premiership title after defeating Leicester at Twickenham, came into play.

“It’s been crazy, but it’s amazing to cross the line.” It was a special couple of days, he said, and it was better than I could have imagined.