Sarah Hunter, the world’s most-capped women’s player, will retire after Saturday’s Six Nations opener against Scotland in her native Newcastle; 37-year-old hopes players at Premier 15s level awarded full-time contracts to ensure England is “shining beacon at domestic level”
Last Updated: 21/03/23 8:24pm
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Sarah Hunter feels there is more to come in professional women’s rugby and says further investment will push the game forward
Sarah Hunter feels there is more to come in professional women’s rugby and says further investment will push the game forward
Sarah Hunter wants English women’s rugby to be “the shining beacon at domestic level” by awarding full-time contracts to players at Premier 15 clubs.
England captain Hunter will retire after winning her 141st cap in the Women’s Six Nations opener against Scotland in her native Newcastle on Saturday.
Speaking to Sky Sports News’ James Cole, the 37-year-old – the world’s most-capped women’s player and England’s most-capped male or female player – opened up on her hopes for the women’s game and her own coaching ambitions.
Hunter’s appearance for England on Saturday would be her 141st for the Red Roses
Hunter: We need to keep pushing forward
Hunter said: “[England women’s rugby] is in a really good place but I feel we’re just scratching the surface of where professional women’s rugby can go.
“We’ve got international contracts for England girls but I would love to see, in time, the Premiership level having full-time contracts.
“At the minute, if you are not an international player you might get some support from clubs but you are not a full-time athle …