HILL’S LAST STAND: SARACENS 25-20 BRISTOL
Richard Hill waved goodbye to rugby after 15 years of service this afternoon, having helped his beloved Saracens to a 25-20 victory over Bristol. Dubbed ‘the silent assassin’, flanker Hill, capped 71 times for England, showed plenty of sentiment in front of his home supports at Stadium MK.
“I knew it would be an emotional day,” the bleary-eyed 16st warrior offered after the game, won by Saracens only after winger Kameli Ratuvou’s last-minute try. Hill’s team had gone into the break 15-3 up with scores from Richard Haughton and Noah Cato, and a penalty and a conversion from debutant fly half Alex Goode, who was only five when Hill made his debut for Saracens.
But Bristol’s impressive young centre Luke Eves scored twice, and fly half Ed Barnes slotted 10 points with his boot to take the score to 20-15 to the west coasters with 30 minutes remaining. However another Goode penalty and Ratuvou’s try in the left-hand corner fittingly won the match for Hill’s team.
“I have had a long time to think about retirement,” said the 34-year-old, who has twice snubbed doctors’ advice to retire after sustaining two serious injuries to his left knee that have left their mark – he is only able to walk with a limp now. “I have gone out on my terms, which is quite satisfying, knowing what I have been through.”
The 6’ 2” back rower made his debut for Saracens in 1993, and his England debut four years later. Part of the vaunted triumvirate along with Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio, he played a big part when England won the World Cup in 2003, and, significantly, was the only person never to be dropped by Sir Clive Woodward. Hill played five times for the British Lions – he would have played more, but for injury – and leaves Saracens for a quiet life, away from rugby, he has hinted.
“There were a number of times when I thought the game would be taken away from me,” Hill continued, spilling out his words. “It’s been a special 15 years at Saracens but I’m fairly content now and a win in front of home supporters is nice way to go out.”
Coach Alan Gaffney, who is also leaving Saracens in the summer for Leinster, added: “Hillys has been one of the best guys to work with and he is one of the game’s greats. He is irreplaceable, and it was a great send off for him.”
Stadium MK (8,050)
Saracens: Haughton (Ross 50), Cato (Penney 57), Sorrell, Powell, Ratuvou, Goode, de Kock (c) (Dickens 59); Lloyd, Cairns, Visagie (Johnston 47), Ryder, Chesney (Fullarton 59), Gustard (Barrell 69), Hill, Skirving.
Replacement not used: Ongaro.
Tries: Haughton, Cato, Ratuvou
Conversions: Goode 2 (from 3)
Penalties: Goode 2 (from 2)
Bristol: Arscott, Elliott, Brew, Eves (Higgitt 63), Lemi, Barnes, Thomas (Beveridge 45); Hogan (Crompton 26), Linklater, Bracken, Sambucetti (To'oala 66), Budgett, Grieve, Pennycook, Ward-Smith (c).
Replacements not used: Prosser, Hohneck, Barden.
Tries: Eves 2
Conversions: Barnes 2 (from 2)
Penalties: Barnes 2 (from 3)
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
Richard Hill waved goodbye to rugby after 15 years of service this afternoon, having helped his beloved Saracens to a 25-20 victory over Bristol. Dubbed ‘the silent assassin’, flanker Hill, capped 71 times for England, showed plenty of sentiment in front of his home supports at Stadium MK.
“I knew it would be an emotional day,” the bleary-eyed 16st warrior offered after the game, won by Saracens only after winger Kameli Ratuvou’s last-minute try. Hill’s team had gone into the break 15-3 up with scores from Richard Haughton and Noah Cato, and a penalty and a conversion from debutant fly half Alex Goode, who was only five when Hill made his debut for Saracens.
But Bristol’s impressive young centre Luke Eves scored twice, and fly half Ed Barnes slotted 10 points with his boot to take the score to 20-15 to the west coasters with 30 minutes remaining. However another Goode penalty and Ratuvou’s try in the left-hand corner fittingly won the match for Hill’s team.
“I have had a long time to think about retirement,” said the 34-year-old, who has twice snubbed doctors’ advice to retire after sustaining two serious injuries to his left knee that have left their mark – he is only able to walk with a limp now. “I have gone out on my terms, which is quite satisfying, knowing what I have been through.”
The 6’ 2” back rower made his debut for Saracens in 1993, and his England debut four years later. Part of the vaunted triumvirate along with Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio, he played a big part when England won the World Cup in 2003, and, significantly, was the only person never to be dropped by Sir Clive Woodward. Hill played five times for the British Lions – he would have played more, but for injury – and leaves Saracens for a quiet life, away from rugby, he has hinted.
“There were a number of times when I thought the game would be taken away from me,” Hill continued, spilling out his words. “It’s been a special 15 years at Saracens but I’m fairly content now and a win in front of home supporters is nice way to go out.”
Coach Alan Gaffney, who is also leaving Saracens in the summer for Leinster, added: “Hillys has been one of the best guys to work with and he is one of the game’s greats. He is irreplaceable, and it was a great send off for him.”
Stadium MK (8,050)
Saracens: Haughton (Ross 50), Cato (Penney 57), Sorrell, Powell, Ratuvou, Goode, de Kock (c) (Dickens 59); Lloyd, Cairns, Visagie (Johnston 47), Ryder, Chesney (Fullarton 59), Gustard (Barrell 69), Hill, Skirving.
Replacement not used: Ongaro.
Tries: Haughton, Cato, Ratuvou
Conversions: Goode 2 (from 3)
Penalties: Goode 2 (from 2)
Bristol: Arscott, Elliott, Brew, Eves (Higgitt 63), Lemi, Barnes, Thomas (Beveridge 45); Hogan (Crompton 26), Linklater, Bracken, Sambucetti (To'oala 66), Budgett, Grieve, Pennycook, Ward-Smith (c).
Replacements not used: Prosser, Hohneck, Barden.
Tries: Eves 2
Conversions: Barnes 2 (from 2)
Penalties: Barnes 2 (from 3)
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
Labels: England, Guinness Premiership, Richard Hill, Saracens
