Red Roses’ most-capped rugby international brings curtain down on her career as Sarah Hunter retires in front of hometown crowd vs Scotland in 2023 Women’s Six Nations; “I’m overwhelmed. It has been such an incredible week. To be here and have the performance is so, so special”
Last Updated: 25/03/23 8:10pm
Sarah Hunter departed the pitch at Kingston Park in Newcastle as an England player for the final time on Saturday
An “overwhelmed” Sarah Hunter says she “couldn’t think of a better way to retire” after the Red Roses’ 58-7 Round 1 Six Nations win over Scotland.
Hunter’s farewell Test was played in her hometown of Newcastle at Kingston Park, as England scored 10 tries through wing Claudia MacDonald (two), hooker Amy Cokayne (two), centre Tatyana Heard, lock Poppy Cleall, openside Sadia Kabeya and blindside Marlie Packer (hat-trick).
Hunter – who departed to a great ovation from her team-mates, coaches and family on the pitch and in the stands after 58 minutes – retires with a record 141 caps to her name, having made her Six Nations debut back in 2007, and leaves the sport at the age of 37 after a highly-decorated, 16-year career.
“I am overwhelmed by it. It has been such an incredible week. To be here today and have the performance that we did is so, so special,” an emotional Hunter told BBC Sport.
“I genuinely couldn’t think of a better way to end my career tonight.
“I didn’t want to milk it but I just wanted to make sure that I recognised and thanked the people for coming. I just wanted to bottle it and to savour the moment you will never get again.
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“The crowd was insane tonight and just to show an appreciation back to them and thank them for their support.
“I feel really proud. I don’t think I would have wanted it any other way. It was tough at times but there is an appreciation of what (wome …