New-look Saints can help my England bid – Hill

FORGOTTEN Northampton tighthead Paul Hill is banking on new coaches and the arrival of All Black legend Ben Franks to reignite his career.

Hill, 23, shot to prominence after joining Saints from Yorkshire Carnegie in 2015 and was capped five times in the first year of Eddie Jones’s regime, including all three Tests during England’s victorious 2016 tour of Australia.

His career has since stalled. However, after starring in last week’s shock win over Leicester in only his third start of the season, Hill aims to make a fresh start when Chris Boyd takes over as head coach next season.

Hill told TRP: “Having played a lot for Saints in my first two seasons, there’s been massive frustration at not getting the game time I’ve needed to push my career on and develop.

“So in playing well at Leicester it was good to remind myself that I can still do it. I just need to play week-in, week-out to show my full potential.”

With scrum coach Dorian West departing at the end of the season, Hill added: “Sometimes you just need some new direction and another voice you haven’t heard before.

“I met Chris Boyd a few weeks ago and was massively impressed so I’m looking forward to seeing what our new scrum coach will bring when Chris appoints one.

Hill is looking forward to teaming up with front row great Franks, saying: “Having someone who’s won two World Cups around the club will be fantastic for me and the other younger players. I’ll be making the most of that to become a better player. Tightheads develop over time so I’ll work on my scrum consistency then improve my outfield game as well.”

Having offered a reminder of his talents against in-form Leicester loosehead Ellis Genge, Hill hopes to rekindle his England prospects.

He added: “I keep in touch with (England scrum coach) Neal Hatley and know what he expects of me, but to be honest they can’t pick a player who’s not playing! If I want to play for England again I have to earn my respect here.”