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Hunter 'withdrawn' from England squad for Six Nations decider

By Kim Ekin
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

England have suffered a blow in the build-up to their TikTok Women’s Six Nations clash with France after captain Sarah Hunter was ruled out of Saturday’s decider in Bayonne. The 36-year-old number eight suffered a rib injury in the 69-0 mauling of Ireland in round four and will not recover in time to face the Red Roses’ closest rivals, with Poppy Cleall set to fill the void in the back row.

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Hunter won her 134th cap on Sunday and her experience means she will still travel to France to assist with preparations. England and France have enjoyed immaculate progress to their Grand Slam decider after each amassing four successive bonus-point victories.

An RFU statement on Tuesday read: “Sarah Hunter has been withdrawn from the England TikTok Women’s Six Nations squad. The Red Roses captain suffered a rib injury in Sunday’s victory over Ireland at Welford Road and will sit out of Saturday’s final round fixture in France.

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“Hunter will join the group in France later this week to support preparations in an off-field role.”

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J
JW 1 hour ago
‘Did Conrad really score that many’: Rieko Ioane dismisses All Blacks drought

Indeed, but I also appreciate how Razor now has him covering the backfield more. Are they conflicting uses? Who was it that covered the Arg game, John(?), no it was a YTer (squidge?) suggested Jordies role was to chase and support the wing for a tap back.


That turnover try was actually a great example of were Jordies boot could have been used for territory instead of attacking (contestable). Hansen talking again about 'learnings' about what part of the field they want to play in. I would have thought that would be a basic principle about how the coaches want to play and it would be a bit late now to be learning that.


Nevrtheless we wait and see. One Barretts carrying though I'd suggest he only has a mandate to bring some physicality, not in how he does it. You can see how out of kilter he gets when he tries to do anything other than a simple cart up and pop. Just look at least week when he had two players on the outside to hit in multiple ways and he just indecisively takes the tackle before giving a poor overhead pop. That he still got the pass away hints at what he is "capable of" but as you saw, with free license, its just far off the mark. I've decided Rieko is my 12 from now on. I'd like Jordie to remain primarly at 12 at the Hurricans, as I feel that's were his best alround game can be kept in good shape, and you never know perhaps he will fill into the position after a while, but I'd like to try other centers essentially. But yes, if Razor/Hansen can get both him and Dmac humming in partnership they could also essentially cover many of the fb roles which aren't Jordans strength. Also obv happy to see Rieko tried on the wing just now I think that's more likely to fail than a Rieko/Proctor midfield.

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