It’s a fantastic time for women’s rugby in England, says Sarah Hunter
Tuesday 3 January 2017 16:34, UK
The England Rugby team are preparing to defend their World Cup title in Ireland this summer, and Captain Sarah Hunter says a lot has changed for women’s rugby in four years.
After England's World Cup victory in 2014, the Rugby Football Union gave full-time contracts to 20 players, and then in September awarded professional contracts to 15-a-side players with the World Cup on the horizon in August.
Hunter, who was recently crowned World Rugby Women's Player of the Year, still struggles with the realisation that she is able to classify herself as a professional rugby player.
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"I never thought in the time since we won the World Cup that I would be standing here on my first day at work getting paid to do the sport I love," the No.8 told Sky Sports News HQ.
"In between that time we have seen professional contracts for the Sevens. We've seen a large investment in the game as a whole and with the time we have together as a team, as well as the competitions and programmes that we are given.
"We saw the first title sponsor with Old Mutual Wealth this Autumn and we now have a brand and identity of our own being the Red Roses. It's a fantastic time for women's rugby in England."
England Women team are set to face USA, Italy and Spain in their opening pool at this years World Cup, but Hunter insists the Red Roses will not underestimate any team.
"It sounds a bit cliche, but they all pose their different challenges and we will face them and take them on in their own merits.
"It's all about one game at a time in tournament rugby. It is a pool stage and it's all about getting out of that pool before we hopefully take on the next rounds.
"This year's World Cup will be the toughest it has ever been. We've seen the standard of women's rugby in the last 18 months sky rocket.
"It won't be about retaining that trophy, it will be about going out there and winning it, because every team there will be wanting to do the same thing."
Before this summer's World Cup, England will compete in the Six Nations in February and Hunter believes it will provide vital preparation for the team.
"You want to be going into tournament rugby in the best possible form and to do that you need to play games," the captain added.
"We relish the Six Nation's Championship and being part of that is always very special. That will be first and foremost our focus to get off to a good start in 2017."
