“He’s just gone up another level” - Bath full of praise for Ted Hill who is once again waiting in the wings

Hill - who represented England at Under-20 level - won his last senior cap back in 2021
©PA

After losing the Premiership final last term, Bath could have sulked in the off-season, assuming they'd be just as competitive in 2023/24 but instead, they've renewed their hunger to improve and potentially go one better this year.

As the top-flight pauses for the Autumn Nations Series, Johann van Graan’s side sit at the summit of the table after five wins from their opening six games and key to their strong start has been the form of Ted Hill.

Just over two years ago, he was at Worcester Warriors, facing an uncertain future as the club was suspended by the RFU. Now, the 25-year-old is playing some of the best rugby of his career.

Hill’s excellent performances have led to a call-up to the England squad (following a knee injury to Leicester's Ollie Chessum) and whilst the back-rower hasn’t been named in Steve Borthwick’s side for Saturday’s opening Test of the Autumn Nations Series against New Zealand, he may well get his opportunity later in November.

"Last year was a very good year for him, and he's worked hard to get into the squad," said Bath’s Academy and Premiership Cup coach Andy Robinson.

"He's just gone up another level in the six games we've had this year, and he is playing in the second row, and mixing the positions he's got. He's shown his aerial skills. He's superb in the line-out, but also on kick-chase."

"What I love about watching Ted at the moment is that he is a very fast player, and you're now seeing his speed,” continued former back-rower Robinson.

“The try that he scored (vs Sale) not only showed the power to break through the line but to then beat the covering defence on a one-on-one and show his speed was sensational.

"It's a great testament to him for the work he's put in in training. He's not complained about not being selected [for England], and he's earned this opportunity to be selected. He's an excellent gentleman off the field and hopefully deserves this opportunity."

After Saturday’s meeting with the All Blacks, England face Australia, South Africa and Japan so there is the potential for Hill to add to his two caps over the next month.

Borthwick’s has opted for a back-row which continues Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Curry and Ben Earl while Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Sale’s Ben Curry and Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins) take spots on a 6-2 bench.

Hill’s clubmate, Sam Underhill, has surprisingly been left out of the matchday 23 but there is a welcome start for Bath scrum-half Ben Spencer in the absence of the injured Alex Mitchell.

Like Hill, Spencer has been superb for Bath so far this term and is one of four starting changes to the side that played against New Zealand in Auckland back in July.

Ellis Genge and George Furbank return while the aforementioned Tom Curry has been handed the number seven jersey.

For Hill, he has featured in every match for Bath this season, starting four games, including a spell in the second-row and that versatility might increase his chances of working his way back into an England Test side.

"Position-wise, a lot of it is where the boss [Van Graan] puts me. He manages the side,” Hill said after Bath’s 40-13 win over Sale last weekend.

“We've had chats, and I think back-row is my strongest, but I'm more than happy playing either the second row or back-row or, you know, the wing wherever he wants to play me! I just want to be involved."

England: Furbank; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; M Smith, Spencer; Genge, George (c), Stuart; Itoje, Martin; Cunningham-South, T Curry, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Baxter, Cole, Isiekwe, B Curry, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford.