Saracens v Bristol: Teams
Richard Hill is set to make an emotional final appearance in a Saracens jersey as Bristol travel to stadium:mk on Saturday.
Last Updated: 09/05/08 3:11pm
Richard Hill will make his final appearance for Saracens as two of the brightest prospects in English rugby get the chance to showcase their talents in Saturday's Guinness Premiership clash against Bristol.
Fly-half Alex Goode will make his debut for Saracens while his England U20 team-mate Noah Cato gets only his second start for the club on the wing, with both players getting the opportunity to play their part in Hill's swansong as the England and Lions legend makes his 288th and final appearance for Saracens.
Goode was only five when Hill made his debut for Saracens some 15 years ago and was still at school when the flanker lifted the William Webb Ellis Trophy with England in 2003.
"He's an absolute legend and it's been fantastic to be have trained with him over the past few years and to have the chance to play with him on Saturday will be a memory that will always be with me," said Goode
"I remember cheering on England in that World Cup campaign while I was still at school so to have watched his finest hour and then to be on the same field in his final match will make Saturday an extra special occasion for me."
Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney will take charge of his final game for the club on Saturday before rejoining Leinster, and the Sarries boss was equally prolific in his praise for the flanker.
"Hilly is a player I have long admired from a distance and I consider it a privilege that I have been able to work with such a great over the past two seasons," said Gaffney.
"I can't speak highly enough of him as a player, and a person, and he deserves all the plaudits he receives after what has been a fantastic career for Saracens, England and the Lions.
Apart from the inclusion of Hill, Goode and Cato in the starting line-up, Gaffney also recalls the fit-again Neil de Kock, to captain the side while in the forwards, Matt Cairns, Cobus Visagie and Ben Skirving are all back in the starting XV.
Talent
Bristol hand first competitive starts to Ray Hogan, Redford Pennycook and Haydn Thomas as they travel to the unfamiliar surroundings of stadium:mk.
The last few weeks have seen the Bristol coaching staff gradually stand down some of the more experienced players who have served Bristol so well throughout the season and take a look at some of the club's up and coming talent.
The likes of Iain Grieve and Luke Eves, both products of the academy, have revelled in their call up to first team action. And this Saturday, another former academy member Redford Pennycook, will make his first Guinness Premiership start in the back row.
Bristol, who are currently ninth in the table, have lost their last five matches after their hopes of winning a Heineken Cup place for 2008-09 ended after the 28-15 defeat to Harlequins in March."
Saracens: 15 Richard Haughton, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Alex Goode, 9 Neil de Kock (c); 1 Nick Lloyd, 2 Matt Cairns, 3 Cobus Visagie, 4 Tom Ryder, 5 Kris Chesney, 6 Paul Gustard, 7 Richard Hill, 8 Ben Skirving.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Cencus Johnston, 18 Iain Fullarton, 19 Don Barrell, 20 Alan Dickens, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Rodd Penney.
Bristol: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Anthony Elliott, 13 Neil Brew, 12 Luke Eves, 11 David Lemi, 10 Ed Barnes, 9 Haydn Thomas; 1 Ray Hogan, 2 Scott Linklater, 3 Peter Bracken, 4 Mariano Sambucetti, 5 Nathan Budgett, 6 Iain Grieve, 7 Redford Pennycook, 8 Dan Ward-Smith (c).
Replacements: 16 Ryan Prosser, 17 Darren Crompton, 18 Sean Hohneck, 19 Alfie To'oala, 20 Graeme Beveridge, 21 Greg Barden, 22 Rob Higgitt.