Hill wants to join European elite

Richard Hill will continue his remarkable recovery tonight against Worcester as he attempts to push Saracens to within touching distance of a Heineken Cup qualification place.

Victory in this Wildcard semi-final will set up a clash with Gloucester or Newcastle at Twickenham on 14 May, with the winner claiming the crucial Heineken Cup place.

Sarries have not played in Europe's premier rugby competition for four years which has hit the club hard, forcing stars such as Hill to show off their talents in the second-tier tournament - now called the Challenge Cup.

The flanker is also using the match to try to get ready for the Lions tour to New Zealand following his quick recovery from knee reconstruction surgery. Hill said: "We are taking nothing for granted and Worcester have enjoyed a great first season after being promoted. I am feeling good about my form and fitness.

"Now we all have to be mentally and physically prepared for Worcester, who have been a very tough side all season. It has been some time since the club qualified for the Heineken Cup and people forget that in 2000-01 we managed the double over Toulouse."

Meanwhile, Worcester captain Pat Sanderson takes no pleasure in the demise of Harlequins, the team that let him go last summer and failed to replace his back-row skills. For Sanderson, the season has been a huge personal success and he will lead an England XV against the Barbarians at Twickenham on