THE FATHER of two promising Malvern RFC players believes the ‘sky is the limit’ for his sons, who look on course for an exciting future in the game.
Max Hill has been chosen to represent England Counties at the forthcoming Hartpury Festival, while his younger brother, Ted, has been progressing well within the U16 age group.
Their father, Vince, who is a former captain of Malvern RFC, said it has been great to see his sons come through the ranks at Spring Lane and go on to achieve national honours.
Although Vince admitted they would face a fight to hold down a place at a professional or semi-professional side in the future, he said he was confident Max, 18, and Ted, 15, would be successful in the sport.
“My wife and I have to keep pinching ourselves,” he said. “You have to just take it step by step because you always know that at any time it could all come to an end, but the boys have gone on from strength to strength.
“We all know it’s massively competitive. Even the boys who get into the England U17s set-up, only six per cent ever go on to play in the England U20 set-up, so it a big ask.
“There are also a lot of boys competing for Premiership places or places at clubs like Warriors, so we have to take one step at a time.
“They are at the best level they can be at the moment and are continuing to work hard and I have got every confidence in them, so the sky is the limit as far as they are concerned.”
Max, who has featured for Worcester Cavaliers this season and is part of Warriors’ academy, said he was looking forward to pulling on the England jersey for the first time when they take on France on Saturday, March 28 in Hartpury.
“It’s been a great experience so far,” Max said. “I went to a Loughborough camp at the weekend and managed to play for England against a freshers team which was good.
“But it hasn’t really sunk in yet and I don’t think it will until we play our first game against France. We are getting all our training stuff on Friday so it will be really nice to finally wear the Red Rose after all the hard work I have put in since September.
“This will hopefully give me the confidence to take the next step as I am looking to play at National One or Championship level.”
Meanwhile, Ted will captain the Midlands against London and the South East at York before going on to the Wellington Festival on the April 5 where the Midlands Under 16s play Italy U17s.
They will take on Wales on April 8 and France on April 11 before the cut for the national side is made two days later ahead of a full international against Wales on April 19.
Despite having similar aspirations in the game, Vince insisted the brothers still remained supportive of each other.
“They are the best of friends,” he added. “Their mum is a massive supporter of them as we are a rugby family through and through.
“They enjoy each other’s company and enjoy the fact they are both doing well, so it is a supportive relationship rather than competitive.”