TED Hill’s “crazy” start to the season has taken a surprise twist after being included in England’s squad for the autumn internationals.

The 19-year-old flanker has been named as an ‘apprentice’ by head coach Eddie Jones to gain experience of the national set-up and train with the country’s elite.

Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith and Bath back rower Zach Mercer both received that status last year with the latter now on the brink of winning his first cap after being selected in Jones’ 36-strong crop for the four-Test series.

Hill will fly out to Portugal next Wednesday with the likes of Mike Brown, Ben Youngs and Owen Farrell for a training camp before returning to London two days prior to England’s clash with South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday, November 3.

The academy ace will not be the only Warriors player to make the trip as fit-again centre Ben Te’o and uncapped prop Nick Schonert have also been picked.

Jones’ decision to call-up Hill comes after a string of impressive performances from the former Worcester Sixth Form College student.

Worcester-born Hill has scored four tries in as many appearances, leading to high praise from his team-mates and coaches.

But Hill is keeping his feet on the ground, insisting he has still got “a lot more to prove” Warriors director of rugby Alan Solomons.

“It has been a bit of a crazy start to the season,” said Hill prior to England’s squad announcement.

“I feel very lucky to be where I am at.

“I have been given a good opportunity by the coaches and I am just trying to show them what I can do.”

Hill made his first-team bow in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in November before marking his Premiership debut with a match-winning brace against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.

The former England under 20s ace also crossed the whitewash in Worcester’s defeat at Exeter Chiefs and victory at Stade Francais in the European Challenge Cup last weekend.

“I feel very comfortable when I am out there,” said Hill who joined Warriors’ youth set at the age of 13.

“Don’t get me wrong it is a massive step up from what I am used to but but I think I am ready for that.

“You have got a good backroom staff and players around you who are experienced so they can let you know when it comes to recovery and what you can be doing better.

“My teammates are very supportive on what I have been doing so far.

“But it is a long season so I have got a lot more to prove.

“Other guys do a lot of work to put in the metres so I am just finishing them off deadly from two metres out.”

Along with Hill and Schonert the other uncapped players in the squad are Bath back Joe Cokanasiga, Harlequins wing Nathan Earle, Bath’s Mercer, Exeter Chiefs prop Ben Moon, Saracens forward Michael Rhodes and Worcester-born Bath lock Elliott Stooke.

After facing the Springboks, England will tackle New Zealand on November 10, Japan on November 17 and Australia on November 24 at Twickenham.

ENGLAND SQUAD forwards: Curry, Ewels, George, Hartley, Hepburn, Hill, Itoji, Kruis, Lawes, Mercer, Moon, Morgan, Rhodes, Schonert, Shields, Sinckler, Stooke, Underhill, Williams, Wilson; backs: Ashton, Brown, Care, Cokanasiga, Daly, Earle, Farrell, Ford, Lozowski, May, Nowell, Slade, Te’o, Tuilagi, Wigglesworth, Youngs.