Hill returns triumphantly after his little trip

England back row hero Richard Hill made a try-scoring contribution to Saracens much needed bottom-of-the-table 29-10 win over Rotherham yesterday.

Hill lasted 60 minutes before exiting to a standing ovation from the 5,680 crowd at Vicarage Road, who were unaware of how close the flanker came to missing the match.

Hill tripped up on Friday night heading for his bedroom and hit his head on the door frame, requiring stitches in yet another gash on his frequently scarred forehead.

He explained: "It was a domestic accident and I want to point out that I hadn't had a beer since drinking one on the flight home on Monday from Australia. I tripped up and head butted the door frame and needed four stitches. My partner Claire had to take me to get the wound stitched and it was a bit of a shock.

"It was an unusual end to a tremendous week, one that I will never forget. I am delighted to have helped the club beat Rotherham and there was never any question of me missing this game."

The sudden departures of Andy Goode and Andy Kershaw have revealed a harder edge to Saracens' ambitions following their dismal first three months of the season.