Ted Hill exclusive: Bath flanker says ‘world class’ team-mate Ollie Lawrence has ‘more levels to go’

Bath flanker Ted Hill believes there is far more to come from his team-mate Ollie Lawrence as the race for the play-offs heats up in the Gallagher Premiership.

Hill knows Lawrence better than most. The pair played together at Worcester Warriors until the club ran into financial trouble and folded, and were then handed career lifelines by Johann van Graan at Bath.

Both have been in excellent form this season but Lawrence has grabbed the headlines for his devastating combination of power and speed from outside-centre, form that has seen him become a crucial figure in England’s midfield.

Lawrence has contributed six tries and counting to Bath’s cause this campaign and Hill has tipped the 24-year-old to add more aspects to his game and become one of the best players in the world.

“I think Ollie has developed so much as a player but I think as a person as well,” Hill told TNT Sports. "I think he's really started to develop into a really great character.

“And his performances on the pitch speak for themselves. I think he's got more levels to go, which is frightening in a way.

“I think he's got aspects of his game that he can really, really push on and be world class at.”

Hill, whose nickname is ‘Super Ted’, still looks back fondly on his five years with Worcester despite the sad demise of one of the country’s oldest clubs.

However, he is also filled with a feeling of gratitude that he is still able to play the game he loves at the highest level domestically.

“With Worcester, it's more having that sense of pride of playing for Worcester but also how lucky we are to be able to still be playing rugby and still be having that impact on a club,” Hill added.

“I know there's obviously a lot of guys who came from Worcester into Bath and it's been a really amazing transition.

“I still think about those times at Worcester a lot and it was a massive part of my life and my young professional life.

“It's definitely a shame with how things ended, but I feel so lucky to be able to be playing with Bath now and be in the position we're in.”

With less than a handful of games to go, Bath are in position to reach the play-offs for the first time in five seasons in one of the tightest run-ins in the tournament’s history.

Catch all the action from the Gallagher Premiership live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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