Neil Fissler talks to Jonny Hill about the highs and lows of a stellar 12 months
JONNY Hill would have called out the men in white coats if someone had told him 12 months ago that he would have won and lost consecutive Premiership finals, been capped by England and toured with the Lions.
It has been quite a year for the Exeter Chiefs lock, who was still dreaming of his first cap this time last October.
Hill, 27, the son of a Shropshire farmer, looked to have made the breakthrough into Eddie Jones' England squad in 2018 for the summer tour to South Africa. But having been an unused replacement in the second and third Tests, it took another two years for Jones to coming calling again.
After playing a starring role as the Chiefs did the Premiership and European Cup double in 2019-20, Jones' number finally reappeared on Hill's phone and he was given his Test bow alongside Maro Itoje in the boiler room for England's delayed final Six Nations match against Italy.
Hill has since won nine caps for his country with his performances earning him a ticket to South Africa with the Lions. But despite all the highs, the 2021 Premiership Final defeat to Harlequins rankles – as does missing out on a Lions Test place in South Africa.
“People think that I've had a really good, fruitful year, but the disappointment of losing last season's Premiership Final was a real blow for me personally,” Hill said. “It was probably the best thing for me that the next morning I was on the plane to Edinburgh with the Lions. I didn't have to dwell upon it for a long time, whereas if I was in my off-season, I would have thought about it a serious amount.”
Hill, who two weeks ago was part of Jones' 45-man training squad, admits his first foray in the England squad came too early for him – but now he feels like he belongs.
“When I got selected in 2018, I don't think I was a Test player,” he said. “When I went to South Africa, I was immature and undeveloped, so I made sure that I was selectable the next time I was picked. Every time I'm selected in an England squad or to wear the shirt, it's a massive honour. It's something I'll never take for granted.
“I always dreamt of playing for England and playing for the Lions. They are the big carrots we are all trying to aim for, and I just kept my head down and worked hard. I knew I was capable of playing international rugby, so I just had to back myself.”
A Lions Test cap eluded Hill, but he feels that he learnt a lot from having to shake off that disappointment to help the team's cause.
He added: “When I wasn't getting selected, I was getting annoyed. But I had to dust myself off and help prepare the lads the best I could. It made me train as hard as I could to see if I could get a shot at the next Test.
“Handling that disappointment was something I had to learn to bounce back from pretty quick and time has definitely healed me.”
