…his lockdown regime
“I've got a programme from our S&C guys, which runs from Mondays to Fridays and is quite intense. It includes weights sessions – they got kit and spread it among us – and also some distance running, which is from 16 to 20km per week, in anything from three to five runs.
“I've also done some hand-eye coordination work with my girlfriend Sarah Llewellyn – she played netball for Wales in the Commonwealth Games two years ago, so that keeps me on my toes.”
…his ‘Rib Tickler' cider venture
“The idea came from Barney Butterworth, who is the owner of Stamford Orchards, and involves me and six teammates – including Sam Skinner, Sam Simmonds and Phil Dollman. We had a few evening sessions making the Rib Tickler brew, which is going great guns. We gave it a unique feel by making the outside of the bottle feel like the surface of a rugby ball.
“It gives us business insights, and it is definitely good to have an outside interest, instead of being tuned-in all the time to rugby. The lockdown has done us a few favours thanks to big online orders, so maybe we can have a few conversations over the next few years about where we can take it. “
“All proceeds go to charity, and it would have to grow some to become a commercial venture – but because it is charity we have managed to get into places that perhaps we wouldn't have otherwise.”
…his horse-racing hobby
My interest started initially as a punter, but it grew after I played in a charity cricket match for a Chiefs side against the Jockeys 11, where I got chatting to Tom Scudamore and David Pipe. I had a part share in a horse, but it got too expensive. Say no more. However, sometime in the future I would like to get a good group of lads together, get the finance together, and buy another horse.”
…his grass-roots beginnings
“I started playing at the age of nine, when my dad took me and my brother to Luctonians, which is near Ludlow, where my family lives. My brother is also a lock and plays social rugby for Ludlow RFC – he's a bit shorter than me at 6ft 3ins, but one of those farmers with wiry agricultural strength.
“I mixed playing rugby with football and cricket from 11 to 15, but always played rugby at school. I've always been tall and gangly, and have played at lock apart from playing a little bit at flanker at school.”
…England training compared to Exeter
Training at England and Exeter is not worlds apart. I would say that England train 10 to 15 per cent harder, which is because Eddie Jones wants people to be comfortable with being uncomfortable as they build towards big matches.
“When it is training for matches week on week with Exeter it is different, mainly because it would be counter-productive to be on edge all the time throughout the season.
…maintaining his 17st 6lbs /112kg fighting weight
“I'm one of those who have to work quite hard to put weight on, and keep it on. That means doing plenty of weightlifting, and if I have two weeks without it I lose weight pretty quickly.
“The good thing is that the longer you are in this game, the better you get to know yourself, and what works best for you.”
Hill on role model Paul O'Connell
“Paul O'Connell was a lock I really admired. He stood out not just for his playing ability, but also his toughness and commitment – and because of the quality of his leadership he had that whole Irish team in his hand.”
