‘We’re preparing for war’ – Hill relishes Jones’ tough England camps

Jonny Hill welcomes the demands made by Eddie Jones during England camp in the belief that being able to compete in Test rugby requires “preparing for war”.

Jones’ coaching style came under attack when a newspaperreportpublishedanumber of accounts from players and former staff members paintingapictureofabrutalregime.

England’s head coach has since defended his methods and Hill, one of the nation’s leading locks who will be involved in the looming Autumn Nations Series, insists it is the only way to be ready for the physicality of the sport’s highest level.

“When I first started playing rugby professionally I thought, ‘This is hard’. But now you realise things need to be hard for you to get better. If it’s not hard, what’s the point?” Hill said. “I’ve loved it here. I’ve made friends with people I neverthoughtI’dmakefriends with. I’ve got mates here who I’ll keep in contact with for a very long time.

“The on the pitch stuff…it’s difficult but we’re preparing for war. In international rugby you need to be ready to go.

“IsatandwatchedtheWales v All Blacks game on Saturday and you saw how many good players came off knackered.

“You’re playing against the bestcountriesintheworldand it’snotsupposedtobeabreeze.

“It’s a really good learning environment. The man I am today compared to the man I was a year ago…I’m a away better player. I’m thankful for the environment. I love it.”

England are continuing preparations for Saturday’s openeragainstTongaatTwickenhamasJoneslaunchesanew era, having named a youthful squad for a series that also includesfixturesagainstAustralia and South Africa.

Hill is determined to make an impact following a summer ofmixedemotionsinwhichthe elationofbeingselectedforthe Lions tour to South Africa was offset by his spectator role for the Test series.

“I went on the tour to get a Test cap and I fell short which was really disappointing for me, and then we didn’t get to win the series,” said Hill, who won the first of his nine caps against Italy a year ago.

“I played in three warm-up matchesandthoughtI’dplayed well and had done enough, but obviously I hadn’t.

“I had a good rest afterwards and I realised that my time is now on the internationalstage.IfIgetanopportunity this autumn I have to take it with both hands. I’m 27 now andnota22or24-year-oldwho has just come on to the scene.”