The England flanker Richard Hill could return to Test rugby this season, according to Alan Gaffney, the Saracens director of rugby, whose side drew 20-20 at Bath on Saturday.
"I have no doubt about it," Gaffney said. "You have only got to watch his games and the way he's been playing for the last couple of weeks, he has been outstanding." Hill's last Test appearance was on the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, where he suffered a serious knee injury.
At the Recreation Ground, Saracens came back from 13-0 down to lead 20-13 thanks to tries from Hill and Tomas de Vedia, before a David Bory try and Olly Barkley's conversion drew Bath level.
Bristol's injury problems worsened in their 15-8 loss at Harlequins when their captain Matt Salter dislocated his shoulder. Richard Hill, Bristol's head coach, said: "Matt dislocated the same shoulder against Harlequins earlier this season and he needs an operation on it now, so that's him out for the season.
"It makes our back-row problems even worse, with Dan Ward-Smith and Alfie To'oala out."
Andrew Blowers, the former All Black flanker who arrives from New Zealand today, may be drafted into the side to face Wasps next Sunday.