Cory Hill already knows what it’s like to be a hate figure for England fans – and hopes to get under their skin again this week in Cardiff.
The Wales second row was given a right old rucking on social media when he was called up as a replacement for the Lions tour to New Zealand in 2017.
“Corey Who?” trended on Twitter among the red rose brigade who were furious that Hill was summoned ahead of England dependable Joe Launchbury.
Even former Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll – not the most acerbic of pundits these days – felt the need to join in and have a pop, when Hill was actually part of a group of six players, strategically placed on possible stand-by in Auckland before the tour began.
Hill shrugged it off and the Dragons forward would relish more white noise if England’s chariot is blown off course in the Six Nations showdown.
“Some English fans had a go at me when I was called up for the Lions, but then so did a few Welsh fans as well,” says Hill.
“It’s a pretty fickle world in rugby and you just have to take it on the chin. With social media now, everyone is a rugby pundit and they seem to come out in force when things like that happen.
“I took a bit of stick, but I learned a lot from it. England and Launchbury were many miles away on tour and I was already there in Auckland – but there we are. You can’t please everyone.”
Hill will please Warren Gatland if he and Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones can get the better of England lock pairing of Courtney Lawes and George Kruis.
Lawes has been in brilliant form so far in the tournament and was a destructive force of nature when England beat Ireland in Dublin on the opening weekend of the tournament.
The Northampton forward made some big tackles and was instrumental in forcing the normally unruffled Johnny Sexton into a nervous disposition.
Hill admits: “He’s a fantastic player and he adds so much to their defence for a second row, which you would expect from a guy who can also play in the back row just as comfortably.
“But we are confident after out two victories. In Alun Wyn Jones, we’ve got a real legend in our pack and someone who just wants to be first to every ball and every tackle.
“He was a hero to me when I was making my way in the game and he’s still there now playing alongside me. He’s just awesome.”
Hill has further history than England than being part of the Wales teams that ran England close, but lost, at both Twickenham last season and in Cardiff the year before.
He spent half a season playing for Moseley back in 2012 after Cardiff Blues decided to release him.
“I enjoyed my time with Moseley and even though it was the second tier Championship in England it was a good standard.
“I used to commute up and down a few days and then stay up there a couple of days a week, so you couldn’t actually accuse me of living in England.
“But it was at a stage of my career when I needed to be playing, so I was grateful for the opportunity.”
