Born in Birmingham, Hill was educated at Bishop Wordsworth's Grammar School in Salisbury, and Exeter University.

Unfortunately for the Swindon school Bishop Wordsworth were also able to field David Egerton who was also capped by England on 9 occasions.

Joining Bath Rugby as a scrum-half straight from university, in these amateur times his day job was working for Lloyds Bank.

Nicknamed Duracell, he spent all his available time there, and his dedication spelled the inevitable introduction of the professional era.

Richard was a major component in England's excellent form in the first three matches of the 1990 Five Nations campaign and he often provided the ammunition for the likes of Guscott, Carling and Underwood.