Richard Hill 將動膝蓋手術 - 橄欖球

Thursday, 7 October, 2004, 11:15 GMT 12:15 UK
Hill injury rocks England


England flanker Richard Hill will miss the autumn internationals and could
miss the entire Six Nations after having an operation on his left knee.

The Saracens forward, who had surgery to reconstruct his anterior cruciate
ligament, has been ruled out for between six and nine months.

He suffered the injury in Sarries' defeat to London Irish on Sunday.

Hill would have been a first-choice pick for England and his loss is a huge
blow to acting coach Andy Robinson.

Robinson said: "Richard is an outstanding player for both his club and his
country and our thoughts are with him. We all wish him a speedy recovery."

Robinson must now find a back-row alternative for the 31-year-old.

The obvious answer at openside flanker is Leicester's Lewis Moody, although
he has only just started his comeback in Tigers' second team following 10 months out recovering from a serious foot problem.

Robinson might be tempted to go for Worcester's Pat Sanderson, who is one
of the Premiership's form players.

The entire back-row combination will give Robinson plenty of food for
thought, given Hill's absence and the retirements from international rugby
of Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back.

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要休6~9個月。orz

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