Hill eager for quick return at Saracens

Richard Hill has become the first of England's World Cup heroes to declare himself officially available for club duty this weekend.

The England flanker arrived back at Heathrow this morning after a 24-hour f light from Australia. But he has already told Saracens he wants to play in this Sunday's Zurich Premiership basement battle against Rotherham at Vicarage Road after missing the first 10 weeks of the domestic season.

Hill could be joined in the Saracens' team by Kyran Bracken, England's unused replacement scrum-half in Saturday's World Cup final in Sydney - both will be alarmed that Saracens are second from bottom in the table.

Coach Rod Kafer said of Hill: "He's a truly world-class player and I'm hoping that rubs off on us when he returns."

The general consensus among clubs is that most players will be eased back into action and fans will have to wait another weekend to see them.

Leicester director of rugby Dean Richards said Martin Johnson, Neil Back and Ben Kay would probably miss the game against Bath, but the fresher Dorian West, Lewis Moody, Julian White and Martin Corry may feature.

Bath will wait as long as possible before deciding whether Mike Tindall, Iain Balshaw and Mike Catt will play. Simon Shaw and Stuart Abbott should feature for Wasps on Saturday against Newcastle, who have decided not to play fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.