Hill

By The Bee Hive
June 13 2013

North Midlands prop Michael Hill has been named as the final member of the England Counties squad to tour Belgium next week. The initial announcement listed 25 players with one place to be confirmed following the County Championship Finals at Twickenham on Sunday May 26.

Hill of Birmingham & Solihull was one of ten squad members who ran out onto the hallowed turf and impressed England Counties Team Manager Michael Old.

"I was out for dinner with my mates when I got the call from Mike to let me know I'd been called up," said Hill. "I was totally taken by surprise. It was slightly overwhelming but very exciting at the same time.



"It is a great opportunity to develop my game. I know players speak very highly of the England Counties set-up so I'm looking forward to being in a new environment and experiencing different coaching styles."

Hill will join his county team-mates Ollie Thomas, Rhys Owen and Drew Cheshire in the England Counties squad but fellow prop Stef Thorpe (Moseley) missed out on the trip because he requires a shoulder operation.

The squad meet on Friday June 7 before departing for Belgium by Eurostar the following day. They take on a Belgium President's Select XV in Brussels on Wednesday June 12 before playing Belgium in Tubize on Sunday June 16.

"It will be good to meet the other guys at the end of this week, settle into camp and hopefully put forward a case for selection for the first game so that I can show what I can do." Hill added.

The self-employed rugby coach was part of the North Midlands side that lost out to Northumberland (45-10) in the County Championship Division Two Plate Final.

"Playing at Twickenham was very exciting," said Hill, "But once you get stuck in you don't notice the surroundings as much, you focus on the game and try to do everything you can for the County. I'm very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play there, not many people can say that.

"We knew from the outset that it was going to be a tough challenge. We started strongly and took the lead but Northumberland showed their strength and unity. We didn't give up and were determined to get a final score to finish on a high ahead of next time we meet up. Hopefully, a number of the squad will be available for selection next year so that we can build on the experience."