Hill set to bow out

A sizeable crowd is expected for England World Cup winner Richard Hill's final game before retirement. [more]

Hill set to bow out

A sizeable crowd is expected for England World Cup winner Richard Hill’s final game before retirement.

Hill, capped 71 times, makes his 288th Saracens appearance, while the club’s director of rugby Alan Gaffney also bows out, handing the reins to Australian Eddie Jones next term.

Gaffney said: “Richard is a player I have long admired from a distance, and I consider it a privilege that I have been able to work with such a great over the past two seasons.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him as a player and a person, and he deserves all the plaudits he receives after what has been a fantastic career for Saracens, England and the Lions.

“As a group, we want to make sure we end on a high note for him and put in a performance that we can all be proud of to give him the send-off he deserves.”

Saracens have reached four semi-finals under Gaffney’s direction, and he added: “I would like to think that is not a bad return.

“We have come a long way in that time, but there is still a lot of work to do in terms of our consistency.

“I’ve really enjoyed my spell at the club and a pleasing aspect is that we have developed our own style of play and it’s something the players enjoy.”

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