'I'll never retire': Huddersfield Giants veteran Chris Hill wants to keep England dream alive

Hill appeared to have played his last game for his country when he was omitted from the squad to face France in April.

An ankle injury ended Hill's Super League season three rounds early but he was handed an England recall by Shaun Wane for the visit of the Tongans and came off the bench in the series opener.

"I love it," said the 35-year-old, who has also represented Great Britain on four occasions. "It's what dreams are made of.

"You're a long time retired. To still be getting picked is a massive honour.

"I'll never retire from international football as long as I'm playing club football.

"For Waney to pick me and put faith in me when I haven't played for seven weeks, I just wanted to repay him."

Hill enjoyed a strong 2022 World Cup but was helpless to prevent England from suffering a shock semi-final defeat to Samoa.

While he accepts that he will not be around for the next tournament in 2026, Hill is determined to ensure England are in the best place possible to right the wrongs of last year's agonising golden-point loss.

"I don't think I'll ever get over that," said Hill, who is contracted to Huddersfield until the end of 2025.

"It took me long enough to get over the 2017 World Cup (final defeat) but last year was really disappointing.

"It's not the same England side. The next World Cup is out of reach for me but I want to help the young lads coming through. Some of them are pretty impressive like Tyler Dupree and Robbie Mulhern who didn't play this first game.

"If I can pass anything on or do whatever I can in any aspect, I'm happy because I want England to do as well as possible."

After a routine win against France in the mid-season Test, Wane's men were made to sweat for their 22-18 victory over Tonga.

In the first meeting between the nations since England edged a semi-final thriller at the 2017 World Cup, it took two tries from former Wakefield Trinity winger Tom Johnstone to see off the spirited Tongans.

"It was a tough challenge," added Hill.

"They're a big side but they play a lot of rugby. They've got some good halves now. Going back to the 2017 World Cup, having no halves is probably what let them down.

"They've got that now and are a massive threat. We knew that but we got the win.

"It was good to get a run and I'll be a lot better for it. I did my job and we move on with the win."

Hill featured in a Challenge Cup final and helped Huddersfield to a third-place finish in Super League in his first season at the club in 2022 but the Giants were unable to reach the same heights this year.

Ian Watson's side fell at the first hurdle in the cup and finished six points off the pace in the play-off race in ninth spot.

Hill expects the determined Giants to bounce back with a strong season in 2024.

"It was disappointing," he said on the 2023 campaign.

"We want to put a few wrongs right. We've got the squad to and have got to bring it together next year.

"I want to finish this year on a high with England now."