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Rugby Union

Johnson leads tributes to retiring Hill

10/05/2008

England manager Martin Johnson has led the tributes to Saracens forward Richard Hill as he prepares for his final game before retiring.

Hill played in the England World Cup-winning side captained by Johnson in 2003 and also toured with the lock in a Lions jersey.

Johnson hailed his former colleague as "world class", pointing out his versatility to play a number of positions as a back-row forward.

The former Leicester Tiger said: "A world-class performance from Richard Hill for Saracens, England and the British and Irish Lions was a given. He toured with the Lions in 1997 and made a huge impact and played for England at six, seven and eight, which underlined what an important part of the squad he was."

Hill earned 71 England caps and was the only player under Clive Woodward's tenure in charge of the side never to be dropped. Hill would have undoubtedly added to his five appearances for the Lions were it not for injuries sustained on tour.

Johnson added to the testimony of Woodward's continual selection of Hill claiming he was "one of the most consistent world class players" he ever played with.

New Zealand head coach Graham Henry, who was in charge of the Lions in 2001, said Hill had a "huge influence as a leader, while former team-mate Will Greenwood called Hill "an unbelievably clever rugby man".

Hill made a recent comeback to the Saracens side as they pushed for a place in the Heineken Cup final.

However, persistent knee injuries have curtailed the end of his career and the 34-year-old's final game will be against Bristol today.