FORMER Prince Henry’s Grammar School student Paul Hill has admitted he was virtually speechless after being selected in Eddie Jones' initial squad for the forthcoming RBS Six Nations Championship.

The 20-year-old ex-Otley loanee, who is the youngest player in the new coach's squad, has revealed that he didn’t really know how to react.

“Initially I was speechless,” said the Northampton tight-head prop.

“I had no idea and was genuinely lost for words; I think I just said ‘thanks very much’!

“I thought to myself, ‘Wow! This is it’. I haven’t stopped smiling since.”

Hill, who has enjoyed an outstanding debut season with the Saints in the Aviva Premiership and European Champions Cup, isn’t feeling phased by his rise to prominence.

He said: “I guess it’s come pretty thick and fast but I’ve been pleased with how I’ve coped with it. I’ve just tried to go with the flow.

“The hard work starts now though. There are no Six Nations games this weekend, so I’m just going to keep my head down and focus on what’s coming up with the Saints. We’ve got a big few weeks.

“That’s not to say I’m not looking forward to it, but I won’t be overdoing the celebrations.”

After learning of his selection, the former Yorkshire Carnegie player tweeted: "Been an amazing day! Cheers for all the messages. Absolutely chuffed to bits to be named in the @EnglandRugby squad."

Jones replaced former Leeds Carnegie player and coach Stuart Lancaster in November, following a poor World Cup performance in which England became the first host nation to crash out in the group stages.

Hill, who scored four tries in 19 appearances for the Cross Greeners in 2013-14, is one of seven debutants in a fresh and more youthful-looking squad, and there are some high-profile omissions after the World Cup defeats to Wales and Australia, such as Tom Youngs, Tom Wood and Brad Barritt.

Formerly head boy at Prince Henry’s, Hill moved from Yorkshire Carnegie this season.

The Bavarian-born front-rower, who first played rugby for Doncaster Knights under-sevens, studied English language, history and business and economics at Prince Henry's, and played for Yorkshire under-15s and under-16s and the North under-16s before representing England at under-16, under-17 and under-18.

Hill, who is 6ft 1in and weighs 18st 4lb, is also the most capped prop at under-20 level for England.

Having helped to win the Junior World Championship in 2014, he went on to play in four of England's five games in the Under-20 Six Nations-winning campaign last year, as well as every match of the World Under-20 Championships.

A strong scrummager and lively in the loose, Hill has already made 13 appearances for Northampton.

Dean Hyam, PE teacher at Prince Henry’s, expressed his delight at the achievement of his former pupil.

“This is obviously a tremendous achievement to break into the full senior squad before a major tournament,” he said.

“It’s always nice to see PHGS old boys doing so well.”

Hill’s selection means there will be two Prince Henry’s old boys in the England squad, with Harlequins scrum half Danny Care being the other one.

Luther Burrell, another former Otley loanee, failed to make a squad that included seven uncapped players – Hill, No 8s Josh Beaumont (son of former England captain Bill) and Jack Clifford, centres Elliot Daly, Ollie Devoto, and Sam Hill and lock Maro Itoje.

Only two players over the age of 30 have been picked – Mike Brown and James Haskell – while Dylan Hartley and Chris Ashton have been restored to the fold.

England open their Championship against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 6.