Richard Hill

The story

Within rugby, Richard Hill is widely regarded as the most underrated player of his generation. The quiet man of the England back row during the Clive Woodward years, he was the one the other players pointed to first when asked who made the 2003 team tick.

Born in Dormansland in 1973, Hill came through at Salisbury and Saracens, where he spent his entire 15 year club career. A relentless, uncomplicated blindside flanker, he won 71 England caps between 1997 and 2004 and formed what is still remembered as the best back row England have ever put on the pitch, alongside Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back.

His hallmark was doing the unseen work. Tackles, clear outs, defensive reads, the tight carrying no one else wanted. Martin Johnson has said that when Hill was on the pitch, England felt ten points better before kick off. Injury in the 2003 World Cup pool stages meant England had to manage without him for much of the knockout phase, but he came back for the final against Australia and was part of the squad that lifted the Webb Ellis Cup.

Five British and Irish Lions Test appearances across the 1997, 2001 and 2005 tours put him in rare company. He retired in 2008 after a knee injury cut short his final season and moved into coaching, later becoming the team manager for the England senior side and a respected figure in the professional game.

As a speaker he is the opposite of the loud clubhouse raconteur. Calm, thoughtful, self deprecating, and full of insight into the real dynamics of a Test match dressing room. For anyone who wants the honest version of 2003, Hill is the man to book.

Career highlights

• Rugby World Cup winner with England, 2003
• 71 England caps, 1997 to 2004
• Entire club career at Saracens, 1993 to 2008
• 5 Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions across three tours
• Member of the England back row widely regarded as the country's best ever
• MBE in 2004 for services to rugby union
• Later served as England senior team manager