A perfect role model. Richard Hill MBE. Picture by Sarah Williams. SW26TRIBUTES have been paid to former Bishop Wordworth's School pupil Richard Hill, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year's honours list.

Hill and the rest of the England 2003 World Cup squad were honoured for their heroics down under, when they triumphed over Australia in a dramatic final.

Brian Weatherley, chairman of Salisbury Rugby Club, where Hill began his career, described the 30-year-old Saracens flanker as the "perfect role model" for those taking up the sport.

He said: "He is an ideal recipent because he is a model player and a model person too.

"His involvement with Salisbury Rugby Club is absolute.

"He is a patron of our academy and, when he is not playing himself, you are just as likely to see him watching one of our third teams.

"Richard is a local boy made good and his success is just terrific for the game of rugby in Salisbury.

"The whole club is immensely proud of him."

That pride was reflected by his mother Penny who, along with his father John, made the long journey to witness the Sydney cup final.

She said she was 'delighted' when she first heard the news of his award.

"I was very pleased for Richard and for every single one of them.They deserve it.

"They've waited four years for this and made so many sacrifices.

"Morning, noon and night they've trained and geared up for this."

England's head coach Clive Woodward, who was awarded a knighthood for his services to Rugby Union, said: "The honours the squad have been awarded are richly deserved."

Chairman of the RFU management board, Graeme Cattermole, added: "The awards are an acknowledgement of the RWC win but also of a tremendous season for the England team.

"The effect of the win is already showing signs of being a very positive one on the game at all levels in England.

"I have been hugely encouraged by the reports of more and more children attending coaching sessions around the country.

"We must ensure that we maintain the increased level of interest in the game, which will have significant benefits for the sport at both the community and elite levels."

In an outstanding career, Hill has played for England more than 60 times and has made more than 230 appearances for Saracens.

Born in Dormunsland, Surrey, Hill took up the sport with Salisbury RFC as a youngster and had become a regular first team player at the Castle Road club by the age of 16.

Hill had already come to the attention of the England selectors and featured in the nation's under 16s line-up.

He left the area to study at the West London Institute and joined Saracens in 1993 where he was moved from number eight to flanker.

The hard-working player went on to make his England debut in 1997 in the Five Nations clash with Scotland.

After suffering an injury in England's opening World Cup group match, Hill was forced to sit out the competition until the semi-final stage when he returned to play a major role in their victory over France.

An unsung hero in the final against Australia, Hill's memorable year was complete when he was named captain for England's friendly fixture with the New Zealand Barbarians at Twickenham.

A packed house applauded him, by now bloodied and bruised, and his team mates during a victory parade with the Webb Ellis Trophy.

Hill underwent surgery on New Year's Eve on the broken nose sustained in that game at Twickenham and now faces up to a month out of action.

Richard Hill will be bringing the Webb Ellis Trophy to Salisbury city centre during the afternoon of Thursday, April 8 as part of a three-day celebratory tour organised by Dorset & Wilts RFU.

The trophy will then visit other towns in the region including Shaftesbury, Devizes, Bournemouth, Chippenham and Swin-don.