World class England flanker Richard Hill could still have a major role to play in the Rugby World Cup even though he is struggling to shake off the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since the first game of the Tournament.
The Saracens flanker hasn't played since limping off the pitch after 51 minutes of the opening Pool C match against Georgia on October 12.
The injury still hasn't healed sufficiently for Hill to run at full speed in training sessions at the Brisbane Grammar School and it is now nearly a month since he sustained what the England camp described as a 'minor hamstring tear'.
Hill is the ultimate grafting blindside flanker, the type whose contribution is most noticable when he's not there.
England coach Clive Woodward insisted that the player he described as the 'best No.6 in the world' will be given more time to recover.
And the arrival of lock Simon Shaw to replace Danny Grewcock means he can fill the position with Lewis Moody - who wears the shirt against Wales on Sunday - Joe Worsley or Martin Corry until Hill is back in business.
No need to replace
"With Simon Shaw arriving and when Martin Corry is fully fit we've got four fit locks and five in the back row, so there's no need to replace Richard Hill," said Woodward.
"If we were to win at the weekend we'd hope he'd be available next weekend. Richard is more frustrated about this injury than anyone. We still think that he will be fit for next week if we are still here. He is just about there but not quite. It's just one of those injuries that dragged on."
Veteran flanker Neil Back admits England have missed the "unique" skills of his fellow back-rower in the pool stages.
"Richard Hill is unique. We all know his capacity and amazing work-rate. But other guys who have come in have performed very well and have different strengths. England are blessed with the depth we have, particularly in the back-row, and thus far each combination to play a particular team has flourished.
"We do miss 'Hilly' and hope he gets fit as soon as possible, but the other guys have done a tremendous job."