Paul Hill is relishing his club and country battle with fellow tighthead prop Kieran Brookes, but remains desperate for more time to prove himself on the international stage.
Hill is full of pedigree – he is England Under-20s’ most-capped prop, a Junior World Championship winner in 2014 along with Maro Itoje and is now under the tutelage of Dorian West at Northampton Saints, but at just 21, few expected his England debut to come as soon as this year’s RBS 6 Nations. The former Yorkshire Carnegie forward won his only cap against Italy and his place among the replacements went to club-mate Brookes for England’s final two games. But in a position where most players do not peak until their late 20s, Hill feels that competition with Brookes has helped accelerate his progress. “I’ve come in and I’ve learned off different players. Playing with the best players in the Premiership and internationally, it’s good to be in that environment always,” Hill said. “I think it’s good for both of us (himself and Brookes) that we’re both driving each other as players and fighting for a position anywhere is going to keep you on edge. “It’s just how it is in rugby – if you’ve got someone trying to take your shirt constantly, it’s going to make you play better.” A formidable scrummager, Hill is wise beyond his years in a position that more than any, demands experience, he is grateful for the experiences that have made his first Premiership and international season an unmitigated success. Despite making his debut at just 20, he has got an appetite for far more – he was an unused replacement on two occasions, against Ireland and Scotland – but he is happy to bide his time. He said: “In the internationals, I could have done with a bit more game time, but that’s international rugby for you. “There’s been so many new experiences – there was the Premiership season, I’ve started with the international stuff and they’ve both made it a really good season for myself.”
