JonnyHill

Called up by England for the first time on their 2018 summer tour to South Africa, Jonny Hill returned three years later in the red of The British & Irish Lions.

Hill made his debut for the Lions when he started in the second row alongside Maro Itoje in the 56-14 win over the Sigma Lions, the first game of the Tour out in South Africa.

He made another start in the thumping 71-31 victory over the Cell C Sharks, this time partnered by Courtney Lawes in the engine room.

Alongside late call-up Adam Beard, Hill made his third appearance in the 49-3 win over the DHL Stormers, scoring his first try for the Lions in the 40th minute, but he was unable to force his way into Warren Gatland’s Test squads.

Hill was an unused substitute on his first tour with England but his form for Exeter Chiefs earned him a starting debut in October 2020 for England’s Six Nations match with Italy.

Paired with 2017 Lions tourist Itoje in the second row, Hill helped his country seal the Championship title on his first appearance and has been a regular ever since.

Having tried his hand at rugby in his youth, joining local club Luctonians aged nine, Hill initially favoured football before a failed college application forced him into an unexpected gap year.

Hill returned to Luctonians and after being encouraged to turn up to a walk-up trial at Hartpury College aged 17, he became a first-team fixture at the National League Two South side.

A brief spell at Gloucester Rugby followed his two seasons at Hartpury, which also saw him receive an England U20 call-up, but it is at Exeter Chiefs where his career has flourished.

Hill made his first team debut in 2016 for the Chiefs, coming off the bench against his former club, and helped the Devonians win a Premiership and European double in 2019/20.

His performances for his club saw international recognition follow, with Hill becoming an Eddie Jones favourite since playing the final game of England’s 2020 Six Nations triumph.