It has been a breakthrough season to remember for Worcester’s Ted Hill but with the business end of the season now firmly upon us, the Warrior is desperate to end the campaign on a high.

The 19-year-old bagged his first Warriors start in September, made his England debut against Japan in November and, one month later, signed his first Worcester contract.

Worcester are presently locked in a four-way relegation battle at the foot of the Gallagher Premiership with Bristol, Newcastle and surprise strugglers Leicester.

And back-row forward Hill, who has now tasted what it’s like to play at the highest level in England, is determined to ensure he’s packing down for Worcester next season in the Premiership.  

“We don’t want to discuss relegation throughout the season, because we have ambitions to push on, but you’ve got to be realistic as well and understand where you’re at,” said Hill, speaking at a Gallagher ‘Train with your Heroes’ session at Wolverhampton Rugby Club.

“We’ve got to think about it, but also to know what we’ve got to do and push on as well, because we don’t want to be in this area in seasons to come.

“If we’re lucky enough to be in the Premiership next year we want to push on and progress and not have to talk about this tense situation.

“I think what I have achieved this season is something that at the end of the season you’ll have to look back at it and see how lucky I’ve been and how grateful I am to be in the position that I’m in.

“It’s been a crazy season so far; it’s hard to think about everything that’s gone on, and it’ll be good to hopefully finish on a high and look back on a positive season.”

Worcester played Sale Sharks last weekend at Sixways and claimed a 39-17 win – and Hill knows how crucial it is that the Warriors collect points and put pressure on the sides around them with just three games to play.   

The Warriors sit in 11th position presently, seven points off the bottom of the Premiership and Newcastle Falcons – but do have the advantage of playing two of their final three games on home soil.

“All of these games are massive for us, coming to the end of the season,” added Hill. “We’re at the business end of the season, where we can’t really talk much more; we’ve talked a lot during the season and said what our goals are, what we want to do; we’ve just got to finish off strong here.

“We’re lucky enough to have two of our last three games at home. Hopefully we can go out and do the Sixways crowd proud. 

“It’s massive to have that home advantage and the crowd with you. It helps at those intense moments in the game; when they’re cheering for you it’s a massive boost. It’s great to be at home.”

Whatever happens this season at Sixways, Hill will look back at a meteoric rise for him personally that has seen him go from a promising academy graduate to a full-blown England international.

Having trained with Eddie Jones’ England in the autumn and even made his debut off the replacement’s bench during a full-house at Twickenham – Hill has the taste for international rugby.

And the promising back-row forward is determined to ensure he doesn’t become a one-hit international wonder for England. 

“Obviously, it’s a great competition to be involved in, the Under-20s with England,” said Hill.

“We had so much talent in that U20s squad this year: here you’ve got the likes of Ollie Lawrence, James Scott, Kai Owens.

“All those guys have done really well, as well as others from other clubs. It’s a great competition to push through and show what you can do, and then hopefully push on again. 

“I am massively motivated to push on further for England though. It’s always an honour to represent your country.

“It’s great to pull on the Worcester shirt and play at Sixways, but it’s a different feeling to go and play for your country and meet other people.

“It’s a massive boost and you want to push onto that senior stuff – it’s the big goal.”

  • Ted Hill was speaking at a Gallagher ‘Train with your Heroes’ session at Wolverhampton Rugby Club after their U12s side won a nationwide competition launched by Gallagher, a passionate community insurance broker and proud title partner of Premiership Rugby.