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England Women Sarah Hunter

Sarah Hunter

England Women
Sarah Hunter
Sarah Hunter

Nationality

England

Age

39

Position

Back Row

Height

177cm

Sarah Hunter News

Six Nations column: 'Everyone's starting to buy into the Red Roses'

England U20 captain Lucy Calladine: ‘For that to crumble was scary'

England call up 4 new faces for Women's Six Nations training camp

England change captaincy ahead of Rugby World Cup 2025

Latest

How England have evolved in pursuit of World Cup glory

England legend Emily Scarratt to join exclusive club against New Zealand

Where Sarah Hunter believes England can improve against the Black Ferns

‘Where I’m meant to be’: Maddie ‘The Baddy' Feaunati enjoying England homecoming

Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Who, where, when

Avenging painful France defeat would cap phenomenal season for Steph Else

Sarah Hunter Stats

Stats compared to other Back Rows
2%
Lineout Takes
14%
Carries
Tries
2%
Turnovers Won
17%
Tackles Completed
92%
2%
Dominant Tackles

Sarah Hunter Stats

Stats compared to other Back Rows
Sarah Hunter
Sarah Hunter

Key Stats

Lineout Takes
0
Carries
9
Tries
0
Turnovers Won
1
Tackles Completed
0.89
Dominant Tackles
0

Season Performance

Minutes played: 59

Season Performance

Minutes played: 59
Sarah Hunter

Attack

Rank
Points
0
Tries
0
Line Breaks
0
Carries
9
Carries Per Minute
0.15
Metres Carried
38
Defenders Beaten
2
Turnovers Won
1
Defenders Beaten
2
Touches
12
Post Contact Metres
13

Defence

Rank
Tackles Made
8
Tackles Completed
0.89
Dominant Tackles
0
Tackles Per Minute
0.14
Turnovers Won
1
Ruck Arrival Effectiveness
0.33

Passing

Rank
Try Assists
0
Successful Passes
2
Bad Passes
0
Pass Accuracy
0%

Discipline

Rank
Penalties Conceded
0
Yellow Cards
0
Red Cards
0

Lineouts

Rank
Lineout Takes
0
Lineouts Won
0
Lineouts Stolen
0

Match Stats

Bio

Described by England Rugby as ‘determined and dedicated’, Sarah Hunter is undoubtedly a legend of the game. The former team captain, who is also England’s record appearance maker, played as a number eight for the England women's rugby union team between 2007 and 2023. 

Born on 19 September 1985 in North Shields, Hunter began playing rugby at the age of nine. She initially played league but switched codes in 2000 when she joined Novocastrians RFC. Here, Hunter represented the team as a centre and was awarded the Players' Player of the Year for her performances. She later changed to the back row and began to represent the England U19s. 

In 2004, Hunter moved to Loughborough for university and studied for a degree in sports science and mathematics. She was selected for the Lichfield Ladies in the same year and remained with the club until 2015. 

On the world stage, Hunter enjoyed a phenomenal career. She debuted for England in 2007 and achieved 141 caps. This makes her the team’s most-capped player of all time. 

Her feats included leading the squad to victory at the 2014 Rugby World Cup and claiming her 100th cap during the 2017 Rugby World Cup. Next, at the 2021 tournament, Hunter earned her 138th cap. It was this appearance that sealed her record. What's more, she scored a try during the match as England beat Australia 41-5. 

As one of the sport’s most gifted, revered and talented players, Hunter’s skill has been recognised across the globe. Her awards include being named as World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in 2016. She has also been awarded an MBE and a CBE for services to rugby union—she received her MBE in 2015 and her CBE in 2023.

Much to the disappointment of her fans, Hunter retired from the sport in 2023. However, she has remained with the England squad, where she currently works as the team’s defence coach.

It goes without saying that Sarah Hunter has enjoyed a truly spectacular career. As a player who never failed to deliver, we’re excited to see how she shapes the England squad.

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