Will either Ted Hill and/or Jack Willis break into England starting XV and in what position(s) play?

[jngf]

Will be interested to see if Ted Hill and/or Jack Willis will break into England starting XV in any of this seasons Internationals. The former looks (at first glance at least) like he’s been brought in as an almost ‘like for like’ replacement for Lawes and was interestingly listed as position ‘lock’ on RFU’s Senior squad website. The latter’s USP is his fetching work and it seems if we’re talking about blindside flanker he can do everything Tom Curry can do in the context of that role but in a much more powerful ball carrying package. Alternatively it may be a hard choice needs to be made between Underhill’s Winterbottomesque defence and Willis’ much heralded fetching or the Wild card of (re)introducing Earl or Sam Simmonds as a linkman? (Something Tom Curry was starting to really do well before moved from openside)

[Puja]

Will be interested to see if Ted Hill and/or Jack Willis will break into England starting XV in any of this seasons Internationals. The former looks (at first glance at least) like he’s been brought in as an almost ‘like for like’ replacement for Lawes and was interestingly listed as position ‘lock’ on RFU’s Senior squad website.

He was a lock at age grade, I believe, so it's possible that it's just no-one's updated his file, although if that's the lie we have to tell to allow us to have a full back row while Eddie still gets to pick a lock at 6, so be it.

I think Willis is most like to get a go against Georgia - I would have him straight in against Italy, but he won't have had much time with the squad and we know how Eddie loves his consistency. There's not much that one can really prove against this Georgia side, but a dominant performance could see him get into the 20 shirt for the next serious game and have further chances to impress.

Puja

[fivepointer]

I'm not hung up on either becoming an instant fixture in the side at this stage. I want both to have some game time over the coming weeks to at least see if they could make the shirt their own..

[Timbo]

I’ve said on this forum before that I would not be at all surprised if Eddie sees Ted Hill’s development as a front line 2nd row moving forward. Either with a view to being Maro’s long term first choice partner, or at least as the 4th lock in a WC squad who can also cover back row. He has the size and we have so much depth in the back row I think it makes sense. Ted Hill is a special talent imo, in the same bracket as Jack Willis, Tom Curry etc, and I think it’s worth giving him some concerted time in the row. If it works it would make the back 5 of our scrum ridiculously athletic and powerful.

I’d say Eddie has consistently shown in selection that what he views as ‘international level qualities’ are more important than position I.e getting his best players/biggest personalities/most experienced players etc on the field first and foremost.

[Scrumhead]

Kind of you to mention ‘Jack Wills’, but I think he should stick to his clothing brand. I’m not sure he’s cut out for test rugby.

I’m not sure I want to see Hill as a lock. It’s a good emergency option to have available, but I think he’s the closest we have to the PSdT type of flanker Eddie’s wanted since day 1 and I’d like to see how much of a difference he could make to our back row balance if played in his actual club position. I’d only see him used as a specialist blindside flanker.

Willis is a huge favourite of mine and I think he could add so much. I don’t really care what shirt he wears TBH as he’s equally useful at 6 or 7 and would work well with Curry or Underhill. I’d even be open to using all three together with Willis at 8. Against some teams, I think that could be very effective.

[TheNomad]

I’ve said on this forum before that I would not be at all surprised if Eddie sees Ted Hill’s development as a front line 2nd row moving forward. Either with a view to being Maro’s long term first choice partner, or at least as the 4th lock in a WC squad who can also cover back row. He has the size and we have so much depth in the back row I think it makes sense. Ted Hill is a special talent imo, in the same bracket as Jack Willis, Tom Curry etc, and I think it’s worth giving him some concerted time in the row. If it works it would make the back 5 of our scrum ridiculously athletic and powerful.

I’d say Eddie has consistently shown in selection that what he views as ‘international level qualities’ are more important than position I.e getting his best players/biggest personalities/most experienced players etc on the field first and foremost.

Playing Devil's advocate - if he's not playing lock at club level, why would Eddie play him there for England

It almost goes without saying that I think he's a great prospect - I'd also observe that (my instinct tells me) Eddie is looking for a brute of a 6, and that Ted fits the bill as well as anyone (outside of Lawes!). So I can see him playing there.

[Raggs]

Think Willis and curry could pairup well allowing the other to get over the breakdown.

[Banquo]

Think Willis and curry could pairup well allowing the other to get over the breakdown.

Agreed, that’d be my flanker combo.

[Digby]

If you had a team of

Mako
George
Sincks
Itoje
Launch
Willis
Curry
Billy

That's pretty much a whole pack that jackals/gets over the ball. And that's unusual. Though it's going to take some excellent decision making if they've all got licence and we're running a blitz. There's an easy out of not giving everyone licence, but then why pick them if you're going to construct a system which denudes their strengths

[Warrior85]

Ted Hill is a top quality 6 that can cover 2nd row in an emergency situation. He did it a couple of times this season when Warriors ran out of replacement locks.

His future is definitley as a 6 though. He smashes anyone that comes near him, is a quality line-out option. Carries very well and often finds himself out wide (similar to how Tom Croft quite often did) running over wingers.

[Raggs]

Eddie Jones is talking about Willis as a 6 in his interview in Rugbypass.

6. Willis, 7. Underhill. 8. Curry.

Let me see it. Please. Please. Please!

[Banquo]

Eddie Jones is talking about Willis as a 6 in his interview in Rugbypass.

6. Willis, 7. Underhill. 8. Curry.

Let me see it. Please. Please. Please!

Depends who else you have with them, and in the backs.

[Digby]

Eddie's take that Willis is a classic 6 is an unusual one given how much time Willis spends not at 6. It's not on a par with Tom Youngs isn't under consideration because his carrying isn't good enough, but it is Eddie continuing to have fun with the press

[Raggs]

Eddie's take that Willis is a classic 6 is an unusual one given how much time Willis spends not at 6. It's not on a par with Tom Youngs isn't under consideration because his carrying isn't good enough, but it is Eddie continuing to have fun with the press

He spends plenty of time at 6 though, with Young at 7. 6 is probably the main position he's played for Wasps, and certainly where he is in our first choice backrow. Not bad in the lineout, does the dirty stuff, just has a turnover ability that would normally be associated with a 7.

Equally, we know that all Eddie really wants from his 7 is to get off the set piece rapid and secure first phase ball.

[Digby]

Eddie's take that Willis is a classic 6 is an unusual one given how much time Willis spends not at 6. It's not on a par with Tom Youngs isn't under consideration because his carrying isn't good enough, but it is Eddie continuing to have fun with the press

He spends plenty of time at 6 though, with Young at 7. 6 is probably the main position he's played for Wasps, and certainly where he is in our first choice backrow. Not bad in the lineout, does the dirty stuff, just has a turnover ability that would normally be associated with a 7.

Equally, we know that all Eddie really wants from his 7 is to get off the set piece rapid and secure first phase ball.

If you don't protect the ball you can't kick it away