Time for Hill to talk a good game

Chris Foy|Daily Mail13 April 2012
Saracens 34 Gloucester 30

Richard Hill, a respected performer in world rugby, is widely acknowledged to be at the peak of his game.

But circumstances at Saracens are requiring the England flanker to add a new string to his bow ? the ability to talk a good game.

In light of a high-profile summer exodus and injuries depriving the team of key players, Hill is suddenly the established figurehead in a young pack.

Not a man apparently given to rousing speeches, the 28-year-old is being forced out of his shell in the interests of team survival.

In the eye of a storming Gloucester comeback at Vicarage Road on Saturday, Hill?s influence was needed more than ever to complement the dogged efforts of new captain Abdel Benazzi.

Having led 25-9 at half-time thanks to the sniping inspiration of Kyran Bracken, Tim Horan?s try and Luke Smith?s penalty perfection, Saracens were on the rack as the visitors? potent driving maul wrought havoc.

That they survived to claim a 34-30 victory was as much down to calming words as stirring deeds.

Hill said: ?I?m aware of the fact that I have to convey some of the experience I have obtained over the years, not only at Saracens but at international level, to some of the younger guys.

?I?ve got to play a positive role and make sure that I talk more than I have been used to in the past.

?Particularly when Kyran went off at half- time, and Abdel went off for a cut to the head, that put a lot of responsibility on myself and Tim Horan to really step forward and say: ?Come on let?s keep hold of the ball?.

?Abdel?s English is good but I?m aware that I need to speak because it must be very difficult for him on the pitch to have to think in terms of what we?re trying to achieve, and translate it from French into English for us.?

For Gloucester, there can be encouragement in defeat, given the manner of their second-half revival which brought tries for Olivier Azam and Daren O?Leary.

But the self-destruct mechanism that gifted Saracens a series of kickable penalties ? Smith landing nine out of nine ? will have to be rectified.

Gloucester coach Philippe Saint- Andre admitted as much, saying: ?I must analyse the video because we gave away a lot of penalties. We can compete with and beat any team in this division but the players must play for 80 minutes and not just for 40.?

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