Richard Hill. Picture: Ryo Hayashida

Richard Hill is steeling himself for another rare show of raw emotion when he calls time on his glittering rugby career on Saturday.

The back row warhorse will make his 288th and final Saracens appearance in their Premiership season finale against Bristol at the Stadium MK in Milton Keynes.

Hill has kept a lid on his emotions during a raft of media interviews this week in the build up to Saturday's swansong but he admits he could well up again come 4.30pm on the big day.

The 34-year-old is known for his steely concentration on the pitch and his facial expression rarely gives much away but all that fell apart following Sarries' agonising Heineken Cup semi final defeat to Munster.

Hill was reduced to tears after his team had run the 2006 champions so close and had to be consoled by his equally demoralised team-mates.

"I'm well aware it could be an emotional day on Saturday," said Hill. "It was certainly a feeling I didn't expect after the Munster game. Once that final whistle went it really did hit. I suppose I would prefer that not to happen again but I can't guarantee that - I know what I am like.

"How I show myself on a rugby pitch has been a discreet thing over the years but I suppose this is different. I didn't expect to react the way I did after the Munster game particularly as I didn't foresee that as my last game - I always knew there was going to be something else to come.

"The magnitude of that game and knowing we played our part in Saracens' history all contributed. It was a shame we didn't make the final but that's sport."

For an intriguing question and answer session with Hill don't miss this Friday's Watford Observer.

10:57am Thursday 8th May 2008

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