Nose blow for Hill

England World Cup winner Richard Hill faces four weeks on the sidelines after being told he needs surgery to repair his broken nose.

The Saracens loose forward, who was named in the New Year’s Honours List, suffered the injury when punched by Troy Flavell in England’s clash with New Zealand Barbarians earlier this month.

All Black lock Flavell was cited for striking Hill with a swinging arm and will have his hearing in January.

Hill had hoped to return for Saracens’ New Year’s Day clash with Leeds but now that the swelling has gone down a specialist visit has revealed a permanent displacement of the nose. He will have an operation this morning.

Hill, who also needed 13 stitches to a cut near the eye after the game, said: The specialist felt it was better to operate right now.

“The nose fracture is still unstable and it could take a week or two to set properly. If I took another blow it could make matters worse so the specialist advised me to have surgery.

“I was desperate to be able to take part in Saracens’ fixtures over the festive period and I was hoping to be able to play against Leeds Tykes at Vicarage Road on New Year’s Day.

“I hope to be able to watch the game on Thursday and now I must concentrate all my efforts on getting back to full fitness as soon as I can.”