Barbarians injuries rule Hill out of English club match

World Cup-winning flanker Richard Hill has been ruled out of his club Saracens' weekend match against Bath as a result of severe facial injuries he suffered playing for England against the New Zealand Barbarians last weekend.

Hill needed 13 stitches above his right eye and suffered a broken nose as a result of two separate incidents in the match, the second of which has resulted in Barbarians lock Troy Flavell being cited by England.

Hill had initially been hopeful of making Sunday's match, but a specialist has warned that the true extent of his injuries will not be known for a few days due to excessive swelling around his face.

"The doctor told me that if I was to play at the weekend and suffered a further blow it could cause permanent damage," Hill said.