Saracens' World Cup winning flanker Richard Hill MBE has announced his retirement from professional rugby at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old (pictured) is widely regarded as one of the finest flankers of all time and was a key member of the England team that lifted the 2003 World Cup trophy.

A veteran of three British and Irish Lions tours, Hill won 71 caps for his country and with Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back formed the most successful back-row unit in English rugby history.

Hill played for Saracens throughout his entire first-class career, made his first team debut in 1993 when the game was still amateur and has gone on to make nearly 300 appearances for the North London club.

"Going into this season, I always knew it was going to be the last one," explained Hill, whose effectiveness often went unnoticed - until he got injured.

"After chatting to the medical staff at the start of the year we agreed it was probably time to give up and we set a set out a goal of playing a reduced number of games over this season and I'm well on course to hit that.

"I've got mixed feelings at the moment because on the one hand I've thoroughly enjoyed my time in rugby; while on the other it's also the start of a new chapter in my life.

"I've loved being part of the game and at the end of this season it will mark 30 years of me playing the game - 15 for Saracens and 15 for Salisbury."

Hill hopes to take on a role with Saracens after he retires, but at the moment is focusing on helping the in-form Men in Black to maintain their current good form, starting with the Guinness Premiership clash with Bath on Sunday.

"I've been chatting to a number of people and organizations and that has included some very pro-active talks with Saracens about a role with the club," added Hill.

"However, we've come to an important part of the season at Saracens and all my attentions will now be focused on that.

"We've not achieved anything yet, but we've put ourselves in a good position in all three competitions and the opportunity is there for the club to enjoy a good season - that's something that we all want."

Saracens are currently fourth in the Premiership, in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup and semi-finals of the EDF Energy Cup.

Hill, who spent 11 months on the sidelines after a career-threatening knee injury in 2004, was the only player never to be dropped by former England coach Sir Clive Woodward.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport