Chris Hill has had a year to remember in his first full season with Warrington Wolves. The 24-year-old was part of the Wolves team that won their third Carnegie Challenge Cup final in four year years with victory over Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium back in August and earlier this month nearly achieved the domestic double when the Wolves went close to beating their big rivals Leeds in the showpiece Grand Final at Old Trafford.

To top the year off, the big prop was called into the England senior squad for the first time ever and he was shocked to get the call from coach Steve McNamara.

“It has been a big year for me at Warrington and to break into the England squad is a great honour,” said Hill.

 “It will really help my development playing alongside the best players in the country and I’m looking forward to proving myself amongst the best.

 “It is a big year for the sport with the World Cup next year and it is so important that we do well in the tournament to grow the sport in this country. There is a big emphasis in the camp talking about the tournament and to be part of that now is very exciting.”

 The former Leigh Centurions enforcer travelled with the rest of the squad to their South Africa training camp in Potch and is already been impressed with the professionalism that emanates from the camp.

 “We’ve only been in South Africa for a day but already we have been blown away by the facilities here. The whole set-up is top draw and everyone is geared to putting in the effort. The high-altitude makes it difficult to exert yourself like you would normally do but this should really benefit us when we get back home for the matches against France and Wales.

 “I’m hoping to impress Steve and the other coaches so I can play in those matches and push forward as an England player.”

Forty-20 magazine, supporting England RL right through to the RLWC2013