Ted 'Superman' Hill Steps Up as England Faces Scotland in Crucial Six Nations Clash

Ted Hill is known for his versatility and athleticism in the back row and second row positions.

England's Six Nations Campaign Takes a Turn

England's preparations for their Six Nations showdown with Scotland have been disrupted by the injury of lock George Martin. The 23-year-old Leicester Tigers player has been ruled out of the match due to a knee injury sustained in the previous game against France.

Ted Hill: The 'Superman' Replacement

Bath flanker Ted Hill, affectionately nicknamed 'Superman' by his teammates, has been called up to replace Martin on the bench. Hill, 25, has made two appearances for England and was last capped in 2021 against the United States. Known for his incredible athleticism and versatility, Hill is expected to bring a different set of strengths to the game.

Maro Itoje's Praise

England captain Maro Itoje has been a long-time admirer of Hill. "He is a fantastic player and reminds me of Superman with his glasses and has a similar physic to him as well," Itoje told BBC Sport. "I am very happy for him, I know he is going to do well."

Impact on the Line-Up

With Martin's absence, Ollie Chessum will make his first England start in nearly a year. Hill’s inclusion adds depth to the bench, although England will lack a specialist lock in the replacement lineup. Hill has occasionally played in the second row, with his last start in that position coming in Bath's victory over Gloucester in October.

Coach's Confidence

England's senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth expressed confidence in Hill's abilities. "Ted is an incredible athlete, not only quick across the ground, but quick in the air, line-out time," Wigglesworth said. "He'll add; he's got a different set of super strengths to George Martin but we'll expect him to bring the best of him when he comes on."

High-Stakes Match

England has lost their past four matches against Scotland and is eager to keep their title hopes alive. Scotland, led by Gregor Townsend, is also in need of a win after a disappointing defeat by Ireland in round two. The match is set to take place at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday, 22 February, with a kick-off time of 16:45 GMT.

England Squad to Face Scotland

• Starting XV: M Smith; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Sleightholme; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Itoje (capt), Chessum, T Curry, Earl, Willis.
• Replacements: George, Baxter, Heyes, Hill, Cunningham-South, B Curry, Randall, Daly.

Watch the Action

For highlights and live coverage, tune in to BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, or watch on ITV1.