All over the Hill

The Rugby Club spoke to Richard Hill about Saracens and sharing a jacuzzi with baby Spice and her Mum...

In a glittering career that includes World Cup glory, 71 England caps and a Six Nations Grand Slam, Richard Hill, who has only ever played for Saracens, is looking to hang up his boots at the end of the season. The plaudits come from far and wide and he is regarded as the best flanker of his generation. High praise indeed. "He just did not make any errors. His error count was just so low," said Tony Diprose on The Rugby Club. "Where as other players would also do some fantastic things, but then make some errors, he just never made any. Great to play alongside, he made me look like a good player for a few years." Mark Evans who was at Saracens from 1980 until 2001 agrees: "He was a terrific decision maker. "Whether to go into the ruck or whether to stay out of it. Whether to challenge on the floor; which guy to take in the defensive line; whether to pass the ball or whether to hold on -- it comes back again to him not making any errors. Richard Hill was always a talented rugby player and played through all the England age groups. But in the early days his country was not sure how good he was, and neither was his club. "I, in my marvellous judgement put him on the bench for five games," admitted Evans. "But once he got in he never got out of it again." There were even signs that some people did not think he was good enough for full England honours. "He really wanted to succeed, and was not always told that he was going too," remembers Diprose. "We went on the U21s tour and he was told that his attitude was poor and he would not succeed at the highest level. I think he still has the letter now." Hill was seen as a key player in England's 2003 World Cup campaign; in fact he was so vital that even when he was injured he was not sent home. Thankfully his hamstring recovered for the semi-final and the final, although Hill admits that he was a bit worried. "I could not have asked for more from the management and the physios," said Hill. "They did not rush me and just wanted it to get right. But in your head you can't help but think that you might be sent home. "Danny Grewcock got sent home injured; Martin Corry has gone home, how many passengers can they keep here?" Battling back from two ACL reconstructions, nine operations and a crippling illness that had him hospitalised for over a monthly, it's a wonder he can walk let alone still play rugby. "It's not been easy and he has had to have a few jabs and take a few pills to get through," said Diprose. "But that is what he wanted to do, he wanted to retire on his terms opposed to being told he could not play. "There have been doctors who have told him he would not play again, but he decided to show them that he could." However there is one question that has never been satisfactory answered: How Hill came to be photographed in a Jacuzzi with baby Spice and her mother. "I was in there first," admits the 34-year old. "They did not follow me in, I just happened to be there when they came in. "Nothing more sinister than that!"