SARACENS boss Alan Gaffney backed Richard Hill for a recall to the England team after the veteran flanker produced another accomplished display in the 20-20 draw with Bath on Saturday, February 24.

Hill scored the Men in Black's second try before the interval and enjoyed a good battle with Bath's number seven Michael Lipman.

"Hilly has been outstanding in the past two weeks," said Gaffney. "There's always suggestions that I should replace him but what he adds to the team, not only what he does on the track but just his persona on the pitch is fantastic as far as we're concerned. Despite the fact he may not have all the pace he once had he still has got all the intelligence he had and more.

"I'm amazed at what he does and I'm delighted for him. We've got to man-manage him but this week he brushed up very well after the last game (against Gloucester). We had no hesitation playing him but whether we play him this week (against Sale) or Dave Seymour remains to be seen."

Gaffney added: "Hilly is still going through his rehab and given the enormity of the injury he suffered it's amazing that he's got to where he is. I could see him getting back into the England side because what he could add to them is a lot of experience and a person who people would respect and follow. His pace is slowly coming back and there is nothing to suspect that he can't get close in that regard."

The director of rugby also said the England World Cup winner has every chance of heading to this year's World Cup with England if he continues his form with Saracens.

"Absolutely (he can), without a doubt. You have only got to watch his games over the last two weeks playing against quality opposition. He's played today (Saturday) against a guy I've got a fair degree of respect for in (Michael) Lipman, who is a very good player. Last week he played against Andy Hazell and he's come out well in both games."

Sarries led 20-13 with just minutes to go at the Rec when David Bory struck a converted try to level the scores. It was a game that ebbed and flowed throughout and it looked to be Bath's day when they raced into a 13-0 lead inside the first 30 minutes. But Sarries stormed back with tries from Tomas de Vedia and Hill to sneak a one-point lead at the break.

Two Glen Jackson penalties extended the visitors' lead but Bath piled on the pressure towards the end and got their reward when Bory crashed over.

"All credit to Bath as they dominated the first 30 minutes of the game - we weren't in it then," admitted Gaffney. "We conceded a lot of silly penalties and although our set piece was okay, we didn't really have any control over the game.

"Then we decided to show a fair bit of ambition and attack their line and it paid off. We scored two excellent tries but if it had been a boxing contest and we were leading 14-13 at that time, it wouldn't have been a fair decision.

"I thought we controlled the second half, but we didn't play very smart in the last 10 minutes in terms of looking to control field position and that was disappointing. We made a lot of changes because with the pitch conditions being heavy, we thought we would benefit from fresh legs. I don't think they had any adverse effect on the game but we conceded a pretty dumb penalty with five minutes to go which give Bath a shot at getting down into our 22 and from that they eventually scored.

"We lost a bit of shape before we made the changes. We were coughing up ball in midfield and had also started to run across field instead of playing the game more directly. There was also some decision making which we need to look at because we could have been much cuter and should have put the squeeze on them late in the game."

Gaffney also laughed off Bath head coach Steve Meehan's suggestion that Neil de Kock's pass to Richard Hill for Sarries' second try was forward.

"He must have better eyes than me. There must be something in the water in the West Country. Did he comment about the one when Neil de Kock scored? (which was harshly ruled out for a forward pass)."

Meehan said: "We should have won that game well and truly and it's two points lost. We stuck to our guns for 34 minutes but we were the victim of two poor decisions by players and a poor decision by the officials. It's comical after having so much control and play. The forward try that led to their second try was a poor decision.

"We had a good preparation for this game but the lack of skill execution from us, particularly in the last 25 to 35 minutes of the second half was inexcusable."