Guinness Premiership : Saracens to say farewell to legend Hill

Richard Hill - last game for Sarries

Saracens to say farewell to legend Hill

9 May 2008, 12:19 pm

By Jonathan McConnell

As Saracens say farewell to one of the greatest players of the modern era in Richard Hill, two of the brightest prospects in English rugby will get the chance to showcase their talents in Saturday's Guinness Premiership clash against Bristol at Milton Keynes.

Fly half Alex Goode will make his debut for Saracens while his England U20 team mate Noah Cato gets only his second start for the club on the wing, with both players getting the opportunity to play their part in Hill's Last Stand as the England and Lions legend makes his 288th and final appearance for Saracens.

Goode, at just 20 years of age was only five when Hill made his debut for Saracens some 15 years ago and was still at school when the flanker lifted the William Webb Ellis Trophy with England in 2003.

"He's an absolute legend and it's been fantastic to be have trained with him over the past few years and to have the chance to play with him on Saturday will be a memory that will always be with me," explained Goode who helped England U20s to a Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year. "I remember cheering on England in that World Cup campaign while I was still at school so to have watched his finest hour and then to be on the same field in his final match will make Saturday an extra special occasion for me."

Saracens Director of Rugby Alan Gaffney was equally prolific in praise for the flanker.

"Hilly 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," said Gaffney. "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, and also make sure we give our fans a display they deserve after their fantastic support this season."

It will also be Gaffney's last game in charge as Director of Rugby before he is succeeded by Eddie Jones and he's able to look back on a time when Saracens has made the semi-finals of four competitions in the past two seasons.

"I'd like to think that's not a bad return and we have come a long way in that time, but there is still a lot of work to do in terms of our consistency," added Gaffney. "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. That will carry on next season and with the additions to the squad, and under Eddie, the club will continue to develop and I'm confident that Saracens will get where it wants to go."

Apart from the inclusion of Hill, Goode and Cato in the starting line-up, Gaffney also recalls the fit again Neil de Kock, to captain the side while in the forwards, Matt Cairns, Cobus Visagie and Ben Skirving are all back in the starting XV.

"Goode and Cato have been developing well all season and they deserve the opportunity to show what they can do," added Gaffney. "They've needed that time to train with the first team squad and improve aspects of their game before we felt if fair to throw them into the Premiership, which is a big step up, but both are very talented players with a lot of potential.

"Noah made three appearances for us at the start of the season and acquitted himself well. He's still a bit raw, but he's an exciting talent and has demonstrated the ability of being able to score the kind of tries that very few in this competition can.

"Goode is an exceptional footballer and has developed well this season. He's played at 10, 12 and 15 for England and in our A-team games so we've spent some time working on what will be his best position but he'll get the chance to show what at can do at fly half on Saturday and we'll need him to control the game."

Saracens team vs Bristol

15 Richard Haughton
14 Noah Cato
13 Kevin Sorrell
12 Adam Powell
11 Kameli Ratuvou
10 Alex Goode
9 Neil de Kock ©
1 Nick Lloyd
2 Matt Cairns
3 Cobus Visagie
4 Tom Ryder
5 Kris Chesney
6 Paul Gustard
7 Richard Hill
8 Ben Skirving

16 Fabio Ongaro
17 Cencus Johnston
18 Iain Fullarton
19 Don Barrell
20 Alan Dickens
21 Gordon Ross
22 Rodd Penney