Following the intensive work, Hill can now move on to light running-based fitness sessions before moving on to some individual contact work on the training field and he is looking at an April return date.

Hill said: “It’s been a very rewarding three weeks in terms of my recovery. The time has been spent increasing the strength and balance in the leg and I’ve also been able to run with some purpose and intensity. It wasn’t focussing so much on distance but more on the quality of movement in the leg and I’ve also been looking at stepping off each leg and change of directions.

“It’s been brilliant working with Bill. He has a great work ethic and I’ve returned with a clear guide from him that will see the introduction of some lighter running-based fitness sessions. Then I can move on to some rugby skills sessions and controlled individual contact work with tackle bags and just getting used to the movements used in rugby once again.

“My aim is for an April return but that will depend on the status of the knee, my physical progress and how it fits in with the team. I feel very confident with the progress I’ve made and I’m very much looking forward to getting out in the training field once again and returning to playing.

“I’d like to thank both Saracens and England for making the trip possible and offer special thanks to Bill Knowles and his team who put in a huge amount of time and effort with me.”