Having earned over 140 caps during her playing career, during which she became one of the most decorated players of all time, she now finds herself shaping the future of the sport from the sidelines. As the Red Roses gear up for a packed rugby calendar, including the upcoming WXV1 tournament, and next year's Guinness Women's Six Nations and a home Rugby World Cup, Hunter is excited about what lies ahead for both the team and the women’s game at large.
The evolution of women’s rugby
When reflecting on the evolution of women’s rugby since her debut, Hunter's excitement for how far the sport has come is evident. "I look back to when I first got capped, and we weren’t part of the RFU, we had a handful of staff and coaches. We were amateur, playing our games at community clubs - brilliant clubs - but there was so little visibility. Now, we’ve got games on BBC One on a Saturday afternoon, and the number of fans turning up is incredible," Hunter notes.
The Red Roses' fixture at Twickenham earlier this year saw a record-breaking crowd of over 58,000, a far cry from the early days when Hunter’s matches were sparsely attended. The shift towards professionalism has been one of the most significant advancements, according to Hunter, who points to the PWR league in England as key stepping stones. "In a world where you could have everything, you’d have a fully professional domestic league. That’s going to take time, but we’re getting there."
Looking ahead five or ten years, Hunter envisions a future where not only England’s elite players are professional but also those playing at domestic level. "I see fully contracted England players and, just as importantly, players who may not represent their country but can still be full-time professional rugby players. That would be brilliant for the growth of the game."
A Grand Slam in 2025?
Despite the longer-term vision, Hunter and the Red Roses' coaching team have immediate goals. One of these is to win the Championship in 2025 - a vital stepping stone towards a Rugby World Cup which so painfully eluded them last time out. "The Six Nations is something we always strive to win. It will certainly be a target when we come round to it," she asserts.
But before that, the team faces tough opposition in WXV1, a newly-launched international tournament that pits the world’s best teams against each other. "We’re really excited to test ourselves against teams like New Zealand and France. These rivalries are steeped in history, and it's hard to choose between them as they each bring something different."
France or New Zealand - the bigger rivalry?
When pressed on which is the greater rivalry - England versus France or England versus New Zealand - Hunter hesitates, unable to choose between the two. "It’s like asking to choose between your favourite child! They’re on par but for different reasons, and with different histories."
England made it a brace of victories against Les Bleues last weekend, solidifying their upper hand in this fixture over the past few years.
This weekend, the Red Roses face New Zealand at the Allianz Stadium, a fixture Hunter anticipates will be a thrilling challenge. "It’s always a great challenge to play the Black Ferns, and I know the girls are really looking forward to it."
Balancing coaching with motherhood
While the Red Roses prepare for their clash against New Zealand and the upcoming WXV 1, Hunter won’t be travelling to the tournament in person. Pregnant with her first child, she explains how the decision was out of her hands. "I would have got out there by a week but wouldn’t have been able to get back from Canada! As much as I love Canada, I didn’t fancy having my baby out there."
Despite this, Hunter is still heavily involved. "I’ll still be doing all the analysis, all the review and preview, watching the sessions back, and helping to plan them for the coaches on the ground. My body clock will be on Canadian time, which will probably help with being awake at 3 or 4 in the morning when the baby comes!"
This juggling act of coaching, pregnancy, and planning for life as a new mum is a challenge Hunter is embracing. With her baby due at the end of October, she’s found a way to remain a crucial part of the Red Roses’ coaching set-up, even from afar.
Full circle: Where it all began
Hunter’s career reached an emotional climax when she retired after a triumphant Guinness Women's Six Nations match against Scotland in Newcastle last year. The North East, where she first fell in love with the game, provided the perfect setting for her swansong. "It meant the world to finish my playing career in Newcastle, where everything started," she shared.
In a poetic twist, the first match of the 2025 Rugby World Cup will also be held in the North East - Sunderland, to be specific - a region that has played a pivotal role in Hunter’s journey. "To see such a massive event kick off in my home region is going to be incredibly special," says Hunter.
