Friday 1 November 2019 15:27, UK
World Cup-winner Richard Hill has been appointed as England's team manager, the Rugby Football Union has announced.
Hill has been added to Eddie Jones' backroom staff to provide off-field support to the Grand Slam champions in a newly-created role that begins on October 2.
"Richard is an icon of English rugby and I'm very pleased he has agreed to join the management team," Jones said.
"His vast international experience and in-depth knowledge of the RFU player pathway means he's a great fit for this role in the England set-up.
"Richard's responsibilities will range from maintaining England Rugby's internal and external relationships to providing mentoring and support for players and management.
"It is important we use the knowledge of former international players and keep an historical link with the past. I am in no doubt that Richard will excel in his role and I look forward to working with him again as we continue our preparation for the Old Mutual Wealth Series later this year."
This is the second time Hill and Jones will have joined forces having previously worked together when Jones was director of rugby at Saracens.
The back-row forward spent his entire playing career at Saracens and made his England debut against Scotland at Twickenham in 1997 - going on to represent his country 71 times.
He was capped five times by the British & Irish Lions during the South Africa (1997), Australia (2001) and New Zealand (2005) tours and awarded an MBE in 2003.
Since retiring through injury in 2008, Hill has worked for Saracens and the RFU, where he helped England's international performance coaches develop young players both on and off the field.
Most recently, Hill was team manager on the England Saxons tour of South Africa in the summer.
He said: "It is a great honour to take up this position with the national team. These are exciting times for English rugby and I look forward to supporting the team and management in our journey to the World Cup in 2019."
