Cory Hill
| Born | Cory Hill 10 February 1992 Maesycoed, Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 111 kg (17 st 7 lb; 245 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cory Hill (born 10 February 1992) is a Wales international rugby union player. His usual playing positions are blindside flanker and lock forward.
A lock forward who can also play at blindside flanker, Hill began his career with Pontypridd RFC and the Cardiff Blues. In June 2013 he signed for Moseley and in November 2013 joined the Dragons.[1] Hill rejoined Cardiff Blues for the 2020–21 season.[2]
Hill became ineligible to play for Wales when he moved to Japan to join Yokohama Canon Eagles in 2021 as he was short of the 60-cap requirement for players based overseas.[3] In 2023 he then signed for fourth division Secom Rugguts.[4]
International
In April 2012 Hill was selected as captain of the Wales Under-20 squad for the Junior World Cup in South Africa.[5]
Hill made his senior debut for Wales on 5 November 2016 versus Australia as a second-half replacement. He played in four of Wales' five games in the 2018 Six Nations, and captained his country against Argentina on the summer tour later that year.
On 16 June 2017, Hill was a mid-tour call up for the British & Irish Lions in 2017, provoking some controversy among the rugby press.[6]
Hill was named in the 2019 Rugby World Cup squad for Wales.[7][8]
Hill returned to international rugby in the summer of 2024, and was selected by Warren Gatland to captain the squad against the Queensland Reds.[9] However, it was announced he would not play due to personal reasons.[10] Gatland later apologised for his decision naming Hill as captain.[11]
International tries
| Try | Opponent | Location | Venue | Competition | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | Cardiff, Wales | Millennium Stadium | 2018 Six Nations | 11 March 2018 | Win |
| 2 | Tonga | Cardiff, Wales | Millennium Stadium | 2018 Autumn Internationals | 17 November 2018 | Win |
| 3 | England | Cardiff, Wales | Principality Stadium | 2019 Six Nations | 23 February 2019 | Win |
| 4 | England | Cardiff, Wales | Principality Stadium | 2021 Six Nations | 27 February 2021 | Win |
Controversy
In October 2021 it was revealed that Hill was one of three men who attacked a house in Rhondda Cynon Taf in May 2021. It was reported that Hill, under the influence of alcohol, believed that the house was one of the rental properties he owned and that the tenant owed rent. This was incorrect and Hill attacked the home of a woman and her small children.[12] Shortly after the incident, Hill left Cardiff Blues to play rugby for Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan, bringing his Wales career to an end.[13]
References
- ^ Hill joins Dragons
- ^ Hill rejoins Cardiff Blues
- ^ Cory Hill: Wales forward withdraws from World Cup squad after opting to stay in Japan
- ^ Cory Hill signs for fourth division Japanese club weeks after quitting Wales squad
- ^ Wales 2012 Junior World Cup
- ^ "Lions call up six as cover ahead of first Test in New Zealand | Rugby Union News | Sky Sports". www.skysports.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2017.
- ^ Rees, Paul (16 September 2019). "Rugby World Cup 2019: Wales team guide". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ "Rugby World Cup 2019: Full squads for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales". BBC Sport. 10 September 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ "Cory Hill: New Wales captain says sorry for 2021 incident". BBC Sport. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ "Cory Hill: Mistake to give lock Wales captaincy - Warren Gatland". BBC Sport. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ "Wales rugby: Home damage victim's shock at Cory Hill as captain". BBC News. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ "Wales rugby star Cory Hill among men who damaged woman's home". BBC News. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Cardiff confirm departure of Hill". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 January 2023.