Hill shows class before injury

It was a fairly unsavoury incident. In back-play, Australia's Nathan Grey felled Richard Hill with a dangerously late elbow leaving the big Englishman out cold on the hostile turf of Melbourne's MCG.

It was midway through the second test of the Lions tour to Australia in 2001. Up until that point, the Lions had always had their noses in front on the scoreboard having won the first test in Brisbane 29-13 and were leading in the second when Hill was taken out. Following his departure - he also missed the third test - the Lions collapsed and famously lost the series 2-1.

It might be a little bit far-fetched to suggest the loss of Hill was the only factor in the turnaround but his significance to England and Lions teams should not be understated, regardless of the result of last night's test. Again, ironically, Hill went off and the Lions lost - although this time it was debatable what difference he would have made although the breakdown was again a key area of disappointment for the Lions. He will miss the rest of the tour.

A tough, uncompromising blindside flanker who can also slot in at No 8, the 32-year-old would have been one of the first names on Sir Clive Woodward's teamsheet and was more of a test certainty than even Jonny Wilkinson.

In fact, he was selected for the tour on the back of only two-and-a-half games for his club Saracens to prove his fitness after a six-month layoff, following a serious knee injury and missing the entire 2005 Six Nations.

It's fair to say Hill is one of Clive's favourites. The pair have a long association together dating back to when Hill debuted for England against Scotland in 1997 (Woodward's first year in charge) and Woodward had no qualms about picking the rugged Londoner for the 2003 World Cup despite the fact he was carrying an injury.

He actually played only two games in that tournament - the semifinal and final - but proved his worth with typically efficient displays in both of those games to help England lift the William Webb Ellis trophy.

Hill is also a typically efficient sort of guy. Not prone to hyperbole, the three-time Lions tourist is a measured individual - the consummate professional and team man. He understands the history of the game, isn't drawn into debates about which country he draws more satisfaction in beating, doesn't reveal much of his own personality and certainly doesn't go in for the hair gel, like some of his team-mates. He comes across as that quiet yet friendly uncle you find easy to talk to but never really get to know that well.

One thing many observers have made a big deal about is his age, particularly when placed beside his fellow Lions loose forwards. With a combined age of 99, Hill, Neil Back (36) and Martin Corry (31) gave 26 years to their All Black counterparts last night (Rodney So'oialo is 25, Richie McCaw and Jerry Collins 24).

The quips about Dad's Army and even Grandad's Army are something Hill has had to contend with for some time and he patiently bats them off.

He was even supposed to be the baby of the loose trio considering Lawrence Dallaglio is one year Hill's senior and would have packed down at No 8 last night had he not been invalided out of the tour with a broken ankle in the first game against Bay of Plenty.

"I don't believe that age is a massive issue," Hill politely said ahead of last night's test. "It was being questioned a couple of years ago and I don't believe that after 2003 there were many complaints about how the England team had performed.

"There has been a lot of media interest in players' ages. At times in fitness sessions you are competing with guys who are 18, 19 or in their early twenties but not once did I feel I was letting myself down in that particular area."

Hill has rarely let anyone down in his 71 tests for England and four appearances in tests for the Lions before last night.

Strong at the breakdown, he's an excellent defender, a useful option at the lineout tail and a follow-me-boys type leader. He's also been there and done that considering he made his Lions debut on the successful 1997 tour of South Africa in the No 7 jersey.

"That tour was probably the first of the professional era so it's very difficult to compare with today," Hill explained. "None of the players would have been in the condition they are now because all of the players today have a very good understanding of their bodies. That's not to say the '97 guys didn't but things have moved on a long way."

It's a testament to Hill's abilities that he has been been able to adapt. to the way the game has changed.

And it doesn't seem like he's going to slow down anytime soon, despite the rigours of playing in the back three in the modern era. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him in France in 2007.

He's known as Richard the Lionheart and he did well in France.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY