TWO North Midlands brothers are in contention to represent England at different age groups this season.
Max and Ted Hill, both back row forwards from Malvern, have been included in Midlands squads to prepare for Divisional Festivals in the coming month, the next stage in the England selection process.
Max has been named in the Midlands squad to prepare for the Under 18 Divisional Festival at Loughborough University from February 20 to 22 from which an England Counties Under 18 squad will be named for the International Triangular Festival at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire between March 28 and April 4.
Ted, the younger brother, has been named in the Midlands squad preparing for the Under 16 Divisional Festival at Moulton College in Northamptonshire from January 30 to February 1.
Divisional squads to compete in the Wellington International Festival in Berkshire from April 4 to 11 will be selected after the Moulton weekend with England Under 16s facing Wales away at venue to be confirmed on April 19.
The Hill brothers progressed to the Midlands squads after impressing playing for North Midlands in their programme of inter-county matches before Christmas and their selection has been greeted with pride by Malvern, the club where they have played most of their formative rugby.
Their father Vince is a stalwart member of Malvern and played for the club as a lock in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Max helped Malvern win the North Midlands Under 17s League last season and he has now joined Worcester Warriors as part of their AASE programme with Worcester Sixth Form College.
Ted, who is a student at the River School in Worcester, has also progressed through Malvern’s youth system under the tutelage of former first XV players Byron Williams and Stuart Lucas and the North Midlands county sides.
“Both lads wish it to be made known that they are extremely grateful to the Malvern club and especially their coaches as neither played rugby at school so their development has been totally at Spring Lane,” said Malvern spokesman Peter Woods.
“The club are understandably proud of both Max and Ted and wish them every success in the future.”