Hill back with a bang for Sarries

Richard Hill signalled his return with a try as Saracens beat Wasps 26-15.

EDF Energy Cup, Wasps v Saracens, Vicarage Road, Friday December 1, 7.40pm

World Cup-winning flanker Richard Hill signalled his return to first-team action with a try as Saracens beat Wasps 26-15 in the EDF Energy Cup.

Hill, like fellow England ace Jonny Wilkinson, has been dogged by injuries ever since lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy in November 2003.

Hill's career looked to be in tatters after he suffered a second serious knee injury in the space of a year while on tour with the British Lions.

However, after 16 months on the sidelines, his nightmare now seems to be over - with his try-scoring return good news for both Saracens and England.

Hill's try came six minutes into the second-half as Saracens completed a superb comeback - with Ben Russell also scoring, while Thomas Castaignede weighed in with 16 points.

Wasps had led 10-6 at the break - courtesy of tries from Tom Voyce and Joe Ward - but they had no response to a second-half assault from Sarries, with a second try from Voyce scant consolation.

It was the England winger who had got Wasps off to a flying start, racing over after 12 minutes.

And although Castaignede cut the lead to two points with a penalty, Ward's try on 28 minutes had seemingly put Wasps in complete control.

However a 22-minute spell either side of the break put the game out of sight - with Castaignede leading the charge.

The French ace landed a penalty seven minutes before the break before adding conversions to second-half tries from Russell and Hill.

Russell profited after Adam Powell's initial break, while Hill was on hand to finish off Tomas de Vedia's hard work.

On 55 minutes Castaignede added a drop-goal to give the home side a 23-10 advantage, before Voyce hit back with his second try in the corner.

However, there was to be no dramatic comeback for the visitors, with Castaignede adding a third penalty of the evening to give Sarries an 11-point cushion.