Sarah Hunter and Emily Scarratt, Rugby World Cup winners with England’s Red Roses in 2014, spoke exclusively to Sky Sports about professionalism in women’s rugby, how the gap between England and the rest in the Six Nations will close, and the opportunity awaiting the Red Roses in 2023
Last Updated: 20/04/23 3:39pm
Former England Red Roses captain Sarah Hunter believes the gulf in quality in the Women’s Six Nations will not remain
Former England skipper Sarah Hunter has told Sky Sports she believes the gap in quality between England, France and the rest of the Women’s Six Nations teams will close over the forthcoming years, as each country grows into professional contracts.
Hunter retired from rugby after the opening game of the 2023 Six Nations – England’s 58-7 win over Scotland in her home city of Newcastle – having won 141 Test caps in a highly-decorated, 16-year career.
Speaking to Sky Sports News on Thursday, Hunter was asked about the gulf in quality that still exists in the tournament – England having won their three games so far by scorelines of 58-7, 68-5 and 59-3 vs the Scots, Italy and Wales respectively, and France having picked up 22-12, 55-3 and 55-0 wins over Italy, Ireland and Scotland respectively.
The 37-year-old pointed to the fact that England and France have been professional since 2019, while Wales are only just into their second year of professionalism, and Ireland, Italy and Scotland are all less t …