Richard Hill
England Rugby World Cup winning flanker Richard Hill MBE has been appointed by the RFU as Player Pathway Liaison Manager.
The consultancy position will see Hill, a 2003 World Cup winner, play an important role with England’s international performance coaches to help identify, mentor and develop young players, between the ages of 15-19, both on and off the field.
He will also liaise between the RFU’s rugby executive staff and key external stakeholders of the governing body.
rugbyweek
This will include working with rugby clubs, regional academies, other unions, county representatives, government sporting agencies, players, their families, schools and other educational establishments.
Richard Hill, MBE said,”I am delighted to take up this position in what is an exciting time for England rugby. The player pathway is a crucial part to ensuring England’s long-term success at the highest level. Over my playing and coaching career I have enjoyed working with and mentoring younger players. As a proud Englishman I look forward to continuing this at the RFU as we look past next year’s home World Cup to 2019 and beyond.”
The 41 year old retired from rugby in 2008 following a serious knee injury, having been capped 71 times for England and five times for the British & Irish Lions.
Hill, one of the modern greats of the English game, spent his entire 15-year playing career at Saracens. Following his retirement, he took up an academy role at the north London Premiership club before ending his formal association with them last year.
Head of International Player Development Joe Lydon added,”We are pleased to welcome Richard to the team whose experience as a world-class player and coach will be invaluable to the RFU. He will play an important role within our player pathway working with our key rugby stakeholders as well as helping to identify talented players and provide advice, support and direction to them.”
The role will sit outside Hill’s obligations to the RFU Council, of which he has been a member since 2008. He will start 1st September 2014.
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