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Chris Hill expects noise when he faces James Graham – after plenty with England

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CHRIS Hill is ready for the noise of facing James Graham after getting enough as an England team-mate.

The pair of props go head to head for the first time in 15 years – the only other time saw a fresh faced 17-year-old Hill come off the bench for Leigh in a 78-4 hammering.

Warrington’s Chris Hill is in for a noisy time against James Graham
SWPIX.COM

Since then, he has gone on to establish himself as a Test star after moving to Warrington while Graham conquered the NRL before returning home this term.

And after hearing the man he will tackle in action when they were on the same side, he knows his ears will get a bashing, which even coaches got!

He said: “Jammer’s definitely not afraid to say what he thinks and not afraid to tell you if you’re doing something wrong.

“Even if it’s a coach and he doesn’t agree with something!

“I’ve had it. It doesn’t matter who you are, whether it’s your first cap or you’ve got 30. If something’s not right, he’ll go and do it again.

James Graham is back at St Helens and aiming to win the Challenge Cup
ST HELENS RLFC

“However, that’s why he’s such a joy to play with.

“He strives for standards and is great to have in an organisation, that’s probably one of the reasons they brought him back.

“He’s the most competitive person I’ve ever come across – whether it’s in training or a game. He’s the ultimate competitor.

“He’s one of the best English forwards of this era and I’ve been fortunate to play alongside him in many Tests.

“But I don’t recall facing Jammer on my debut. All I remember is Nick Fozzard nearly knocking me out from a kick off!”

Hill last faced Graham on his debut for Leigh
SWPIX.COM

Now the pair will share the same pitch today, Hill is in no doubt that Graham’s return to St Helens, where his career began, is far more than an emotional journey before retirement.

There is a chance he will go round again in 2021, when England hosts the World Cup, but his legacy will resonate for years to come.

Hill added: “He’s been immense for them since coming back but anything he can pass on to the likes of Matty Lees and Jack Ashworth will be great for the future.

“It will be a challenge but I’m looking forward to it. We’ve had some good battles with Saints over a good few years and this will be no different.

Hill admits Graham can be noisy in training but for the right reasons
ST HELENS RLFC

“But we’re defending Challenge Cup champions and we want to go back to Wembley, whether that will be in front of one fan or 15,000. We want to defend it.”

Graham will head back to Australia when he hangs up his boots – whether that be this year or next – and take up media roles Down Under.

And according to Hill, he already has some of the terms nailed, much to the amusement of other England players.

And he definitely loves what has become an Australian staple, coffee. To the point where he has had fellow England players ‘trekking’ for a brew!

He said: “It’s a running joke in the England camp. When he comes out with Aussie terms, he gets a bit of jip!

Hill and Graham even played for England together in Denver
SWPIX.COM

“I’ve heard him call flip-flops thongs and he’s been known to say ‘footy’ instead of rugby league – but he’s still the most English person to have lived in Australia.

“He doesn’t like the sun and I don’t think he likes beaches either!

“One thing he does love, though, is coffee and when we’ve been in Australia, he’s had a phone app called Beanhunter, which tells you the best coffee shops near where you are.

“He’s been known to take us on treks to find them but he always gets a round in.”

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