Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Premier 15s player of the year Natasha Hunt misses out on RFU contract

By PA
Natasha Hunt co captain of Gloucester-Hartpury celebrates after their victory during the Women's Allianz Premier 15s Final. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

England have named only one scrum-half among the 32 players contracted to the Rugby Football Union for at least the 2023-24 season.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lucy Packer is the solitary nine to feature, meaning Leanne Infante and Natasha Hunt have missed out in the agreement that covers salaries, match fees and arrangements for the 2025 World Cup.

Hunt was named Premier 15s player of the year after co-captaining Gloucester-Hartpury to last season’s title.

GB Rugby Sevens player Megan Jones, who also qualifies for Wales, is included in the 32 as she concentrates on a XVs career with the Red Roses.

Lydia Thompson, the wing sent off for a high tackle in last year’s World Cup final defeat by New Zealand, is also absent.

The contracts are of varying lengths but the agreement covers the next three seasons and it includes two players who will shortly go on maternity leave. Two further contracts will be announced later in the year.

“This is a hugely exciting time for the Red Roses, especially with our home World Cup on the horizon in 2025,” RFU head of women’s performance Charlie Hayter said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“However, we know there is a lot of work to do before then and we are excited to bring the group together shortly to start preparations for WXV which will be the immediate focus for us all.”

Contracted players: H Aitchison (Bristol), Z Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury), S Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury), S Bern (Bristol), H Botterman (Bristol), J Breach (Saracens), M Carson (TBC), P Cleall (Saracens), K Clifford (Saracens), A Cokayne (Leicester), V Cornborough (Harlequins), L Davies (Bristol), A Dow (Ealing), R Galligan (Saracens), Z Harrison (Saracens), T Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), M Jones (Leicester), S Kabeya (Loughborough), E Kildunne (Harlequins), A Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury), C MacDonald (Exeter), M Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), C O’Donnell (Loughborough), M Talling (Sale), L Packer (Harlequins), M Packer (Saracens), C Powell (Harlequins), A Reed (Bristol), H Rowland (Loughborough), E Scarratt (Loughborough), E Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury), A Ward (Bristol).

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

2 Comments
A
Antony 477 days ago

A big shock. Lucy Parker had a good start to her career last season but the absence of Leanne Infante and Mo Hunt is inexplicable unless long-term injury is the reason.

N
Nick 497 days ago

What has 'Mo'done so wrong
Sorely missed at the WWC, best player last season, ?
Don't give up Natasha the game needs players like you, not just robots that play to a system

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING Tupou Vaa'i gives first impression of 'big unit' Fabian Holland Tupou Vaa'i on 'big unit' Fabian Holland
Search