Ted Hill reveals how Johann van Graan is getting Bath ‘back on zero’ for treble charge
Ted Hill reveals the simple truth keeping Bath focused.
Ted Hill has revealed the simple truth keeping Bath focused as they power relentlessly towards a European and domestic trophy treble.
The West Country club go in search of their first major piece of silverware for 17 years tomorrow in the European Challenge Cup final.
They already have the Premiership Cup under lock and key and, as runaway leaders of the Gallagher Premiership, are favourites to go on and become English champions for the first time since 1996.
Keeping feet on the ground
Bookmakers have Johann van Graan’s side odds-on for a treble but Hill, their four-cap England flanker, insists they are not falling into the trap of believing their own publicity.
He told Planet Rugby: “In terms of keeping feet on the ground it’s a very easy task for us, because we know, as a squad, we haven’t got anything next to our name yet.
“We haven’t won the Premiership, we haven’t won anything in Europe. What we’ve done is give ourselves an opportunity.
“You can do all the good stuff [in the regular season] but it comes down to knockout rugby, where what’s gone before doesn’t count. That is the harsh reality.
“We recognise that and so don’t get ahead of ourselves. Johann has everyone back on zero at the start of each week, and we take each game as it comes.”
Bath building momentum
Van Graan’s strategy is to build towards the business end of the campaign, to drive excellence whilst keeping an eye on the prize and what it takes to reach the summit.
“We try and drive really good standards in our training,” said Hill. “We don’t want our training to dip below the standards we hold ourselves to.
“When you do that, you get to games and it feels natural to push on and not slack off at all. Momentum is obviously massive. We also know we want to play our best game when those knockout moments come. We want to be at our best when those times arrive.”
The first of those is upon them now, with Lyon awaiting the Blue, Black and Whites at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
The last time Hill lifted a trophy it was followed by his p45. Win tomorrow and the future is a whole lot more enticing.
Three years ago, almost to the week, he captained Worcester to Premiership Cup glory. Four months later Warriors went into administration.
Hill went from being the Premiership’s youngest captain to briefly not knowing when he would play again.
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“It was a sour end and an emotional time, definitely tough for everybody,” he said. “There had been rumours going around but people felt we wouldn’t be allowed to go under.
“Then it happened. You have to think on your feet and speak to the relevant people because suddenly there’s a lot going on.
“I was very, very young in that role (21) but I had a lot of senior guys around me so I don’t think I necessarily felt any more responsibility or pressure, I think everyone just felt equally sad because it was a team we felt was heading in the right direction.
“Suddenly we were all having to up sticks and leave somewhere we really enjoy, with people you really like. You think you’re not going to be able to build any relationships like you had at your club.
“For me to get an opportunity with Bath has been such a blessing for me and my family.”
Change
It is now seven years since Hill made his England debut. So much has changed in his life. But not his drive to represent his country.
“Not only do I see two different players, I think two different people, in a sense, as well,” he said. “That’s probably the biggest growth I’ve seen in myself, how I’ve changed as a person.
“2018, looking back, probably almost feels slightly early for me to be in and around the England squad. As a person I didn’t feel necessarily ready for it.
“I’ve since developed as a person and a player. I definitely feel I’m heading in a positive direction.”
Hill, and Bath, together. Just don’t expect either to count any chickens. That’s not their style.
