JONNY Hill's selection to play rugby for England has capped whirlwind rise.

The Gloucester Rugby Club youngster has been picked for the 32-man England Under-20 squad aiming to win a fourth consecutive Six Nations crown

“It has been a crazy couple of years,” said Hill, who brought up in Ludlow and then moved to Stanton Lacy.

“My family are really proud of me.

“My uncle played rugby league for Great Britain and St Helens.

“I can’t believe it’s happening.”

Hill, who went to school in Ludlow, grew up playing rugby for Luctonians and has played at prop and fly-half

He is now established in the second row after being encouraged by Luctonians’ Simon Green-Price to turn up to a walk-up trial at Hartpury College.

“Simon encouraged me to play for Luctonians,” he said.

“I’d played for them before but I wasn’t fully committed to the club.

“I went along and had a great time – there were a lot of good boys there who I am still friends with.

The two-year period between the trial and the young lock’s call up to the England Under-20 squad has been a whirlwind.

“I got in the Hartpury first team straight from there.

He has benefited from Hartpury’s close links with Gloucester Rugby Club.

“I played for Hartpury in the first-team but I didn’t really break through until Christmas time.

“I broke through after Christmas and played in the final at Twickenham, won the AASE league and did the same thing again in the second year.”

He added: “Life at Gloucester Rugby Club is good.”