Be it for Saracens, England or The British & Irish Lions, Richard Hill is recognised by his peers, coaches and media alike as one of the great flankers of the past 25 years.
His haul included 71 England caps, a World Cup winner’s medal and three Lions Tours in 1997, 2001 and 2005 to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand respectively.
“It was a massive honour and highlight of my life to go on one Lions Tour, let alone three, and to win a series,” Hill said. “There are no regrets.
“With the benefit of hindsight there are always things you would perhaps do differently. But the Lions was an incredible experience and a privilege.”
Here, we look at the balanced back-row trio that Hill would likely play if he was in Warren Gatland's head coach position.
BLINDSIDE-FLANKER: Tom Curry (England)
DID YOU KNOW? Curry is the twin brother of Sale Sharks flanker Ben Curry, son of Bishop Heber High School Head Teacher David Curry and nephew of former England hooker John Olver and cousin of former Northampton Saints and current Ealing Trailfinders fly-half Sam Olver.
OPENSIDE-FLANKER: Sam Underhill (England)
DID YOU KNOW? He studied Politics and Economics at the University of Bath
NUMBER 8: Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
DID YOU KNOW? As a young boy, his school friends struggled to pronounce his Tongan name, and so he picked up the nickname Toby. In recent years, he has requested that his rugby squad name be recorded more accurately as Taulupe
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