Ted Hill: England forward won't forget his Worcester roots and wants to see the Warriors return

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Ted Hill is one of three players from the England team that beat Scotland, that have come a long way since the financial collapse of Worcester Worriers. In September of 2022, Hill, Ollie Lawrence and Fin Smith all shared the pitch at Sixways Stadium, before the Worcestershire club entered administration as the first of the three Premiership sides to fold following the Covid pandemic.

Hill and Lawrence were soon saved from the treacherous waters of free agency by Bath, whilst Smith remained in the Midlands as he agreed a move to Northampton Saints. Now the three Warriors are back together in England colours, and the trio of former Worcestershire residents often reminisce about their shared days at Sixways. Hill expressed how amazing it was to all be together on the Test match stage.

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"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, it is amazing the way it has worked out. 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. Ollie, it seems mad, is almost a senior figure, he has been there for a while and Fin is stepping up and doing his thing. I am proud of those guys and it is really cool to be with them.”

The three Worcester alumnus gathered for a photo with the Calcutta Cup, after England ended Scotland’s run of four consecutive years with the fabled trophy. The match marked the first Six Nations appearance for Ted Hill, in what was only his third Test cap – despite making his debut under Eddie Jones in 2018. Hill discussed how he wanted to mark the occasion with his Worcester brothers in arms, and expressed how he has had to build up his patience to get back on the Test match stage.

"We got a picture together with the Cup which was a cool experience. We hear from a lot of the other guys still. A lot of the guys are still in the Premiership and doing their thing and a lot of guys are in the As and coming through to the senior team, so it is really cool to hear from them. It is nice to keep referencing where we came from and remembering where we came from and how that started.

“It has been difficult. I’ve had conversations with the England guys throughout that period, there’s not been silence which is nice. As a competitive rugby player you work hard week in, week out because you want your club to do well. that’s never going to change. For me it was about continuing to do that and seeing where it put me. Luckily it’s now put me in a position to be in the camps and showing what I can do. Hopefully that continues to show benefit for me.”

Hill also went up against a former Worcester teammate in the Calcutta Cup match, as Duhan van der Merwe has gone from Warriors wing to fully fledged tartan titan. "He wasn't in the best mindset after the game.” Hill quipped. “But, I got him briefly and said hello and hoped he was well. So we keep in touch."

Whilst Hill has now not worn the blue and yellow of Worcester for three years, he still resides in the town and has a firm interest upon the prospects of the Warriors making a comeback. Worcester have confirmed a bid to return to the rugby landscape for next season, with Hill keeping himself in the loop of how his former club progresses towards their goal.

"I still have a house in Worcester, my family are still in Worcester, my girlfriend is there. I hear a few passing things that are happening, but I am so focused on Bath and things that are going on there and how we are doing. When I hear things heading in positive directions, it makes me happy and it is nice to see that but when you are on a whole different environment, you focus on that.

"It would be cool (to see Worcester back). The most important thing for that is you want them to come back in circumstances where they stay back and they are not coming back in circumstances where things are shaky. It would be great for the guys who have gone just to see that happen but it would also be great for the people who live there. I hear about so many people who say they miss it, and they want it to be back – for the area it would be a big thing, in a sporting area, it would be great.”

Having been on the inside for the collapse of his beloved boyhood club, Hill has been toughened up with a grizzled veterans mentality, despite only being 25-years-old. The back row was flung into the deep end of uncharted waters as the Warriors sunk out of the Premiership, and expressed how the ‘hectic’ experience has helped mold him into the player he is today.

"It can't help but do that. When you are a youngster and you are seeing all the senior guys talking about all their experiences and you think 'blimey' they have moved clubs and done this and you are sat there at Worcester, you have grown up, come through the academy and you haven't had too much change then you know it can all change very, very quickly.

“It was hectic but those things give you an experience and a confidence so when things go wrong, maybe not as bad, but are challenging in your career you know you can bounce back and move forward.”

Even after being selected in an England match day squad for the first time since 2021, Hill had to bide his time before he wore the red rose for the third time in his career. The loose forward watched on from the replacements bench for the first 78 minutes of the match, and Hill admitted how the thoughts began to creep in on how he may miss out on the Calcutta Cup match. Thankfully, Hill got his involvement in the final minute of the match, and emptied the tank with a frenzied firecracker of a cameo.

“I think there’s always that fear towards the end (of a match). It’s been a long time, 2021 was the last time I played (for England) so, for me, that time has just been about playing well for my club and seeing where it puts me. it’s put me in a position to get on at the weekend and hopefully keep progressing from that. Obviously there was a little bit at the end where you think you’re not going to get on, but luckily Steve put me on, so it was good.”

“(It was) Really, really enjoyable. It was only a short, short period for myself but to get that win and be back involved was really good, even just for the game-day experience. It’s where I want to be, to keep challenging myself. For the team it was an unbelievable day. Probably not our best start, but it was just great, it shows where we are at to get the win and move on. Really pleased for the team and for myself to get back out there.”

Hill seems to be taking the return to international rugby in his stride, and could well be set for back-to-back caps this weekend. It was confirmed during England’s training camp trip to York, that George Martin will play no part in the rest of the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations, as the lock is battling through both shoulder and knee injuries on the side-lines.

Hill could well get another crack at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday, as England host Italy in the fourth round of the tournament. Whilst the Bath man is a frequent feature in the back row for his matches in blue, black and white, Steve Borthwick views Hill as a viable option at lock with such significant squad depth throughout shirts four to eight.

"Steve has spoken to me and said 'I see you as that six/second row. Someone who can play six but can cover second row. Obviously we have guys who can do that the other way around, play second row and cover six so he is saying that is a really important role for us in the squad.

“To be honest, it changes a few things role wise but a lot of it is very similar. I have my way of playing, everyone has their way of playing and it doesn't change that too much. There are a few nuances in terms of scrum and line out but nothing that is too out of depth for me."

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