Hill faces fitness race before Irish encounter

By Jason Harris
April 2 2003

Saracens back row forward Richard Hill has been given until the day of the game to prove his fitness to coach Buck Shelford after he suffered an ankle injury during England's Grand Slam-clinching win over Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

thisislondon.com reported on Wednesday that the England and Lions regular has until Sunday to see whether the ankle will be up to 80 minutes of Zurich Premiership action.

The most consistent performer for the Men in Black, the 30 year old heads the list of players returning to Sarries after Six Nations campaigns of varying success.

Along with England scrum half Kyran Bracken, Thomas Castaignede and Christian Califano return from the French camp, Robbie Russell from Scotland and Tom Shanklin from a bitterly-disappointed Welsh squad after their first Six Nations whitewash.

The squad has been given a further lift with the return of England 7s heroes Tony Roques and Richard Haughton after the next World Sevens Series tournament in Beijing was cancelled.

Saracens are currently ninth in the Zurich Premiership table, five points above their opponents who go into the game propping up the table.

But it will be a huge blow to the Men in Black if their most prized asset will be missing at Vicarage Road and everyone associated with the club will hope that Hill will be able to help his side steer their way clear of the dreaded relegation trap door.