Richard Hill's international career was in doubt last night after an operation on damaged knee ligaments ruled him out of action for at least the next six months, with the most pessimistic prognosis keeping him on the sidelines until the beginning of next season when he will be 32.
The 71-cap Hill, a close friend of the new England captain Jonny Wilkinson, needed reconstructive surgery to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee this week after being injured making a tackle against London Irish last Sunday and he was told he would be out of action for between six and nine months.
That rules him out of all England's internationals this season and leaves him with it all to do to make the Lions tour to New Zealand, which starts next June. Next September appears a more realistic comeback target when, given the nature of his injury, his age and the position in which he plays, regaining his international place may be beyond even the most consistent player of his generation.
Hill's absence leaves the acting England head coach Andy Robinson with a chasm to fill in his back row for next month's three friendly internationals at Twickenham. He had already been mulling over a successor to Lawrence Dallaglio at No8 and Hill's injury leaves two places in the elite player squad which need filling. "Richard is an outstanding player for club and country and our thoughts are with him," said Robinson, who will be watching Wasps take on Newcastle on Sunday when the majority of the back-rows on display will be unavailable to him.
With Hill earmarked to play at open-side flanker next month, Robinson will be interested in the progress of Lewis Moody, who made his comeback for Leicester's development side this week having spent 10 months out with a toe injury.
A third back-row in Robinson's squad is currently unavailable. Alex Sanderson, a colleague of Hill at Saracens, has resumed light training after undergoing an operation on his back last May, but his return to action is at least three weeks away. That could open the door for his brother Pat, last capped three years ago, who has been outstanding for Worcester this season.
Dallaglio believes Hill's international career is not over. "I am desperately sad for him," he said. "I know how horrendous the rehabilitation process is after this kind of operation. He is fit and strong and has enough time to make the Lions tour. He will be a big loss to England, both in terms of his ability and the knowhow he brings."
Hill's absence will also be acutely felt by Saracens who, despite a busy summer in the transfer market, are again in the wrong half of the Premiership table. "Richard is a key player for us, particularly in defence, and he has worked hard to get himself back into the form that he displayed in the World Cup," said the club's head coach Rod Kafer.
Hill feared the worst before he went into hospital for an exploratory operation on Tuesday night. When the arthroscopy revealed the extent of the damage he underwent surgery immediately, with the England doctor Simon Kemp in attendance.
Harlequins are on their sick-bed after losing their opening five league matches and slumping to the foot of the Premiership. A trip to Kingsholm tomorrow is not what the doctor would have prescribed and Quins have made six changes from the side that crashed at Worcester last Saturday, with the Australia scrum-half Matt Henjak making his first start for the club.
Iain Balshaw is set to make his league debut for Leeds when the Tykes take on Worcester on Sunday.
1. Trevor Woodman
Returns tonight for Sale after a back injury
2. Steve Thompson
Still England's best hooker but club form remains patchy
3. Phil Vickery
Back operation has sidelined him all season
4. Martin Johnson
The World Cup captain was the first of the side to retire
5. Ben Kay
Returns to the Leicester side tomorrow but not the player of 12 months ago
6. Richard Hill
A knee operation has put his entire season in doubt
7. Neil Back
Announced his retirement last spring in frustration at being ignored in Six Nations.
8. Lawrence Dallaglio
Led the ill-fated summer tour but has since retired
