Key Facts
| Squad | Lichfield |
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| Position | Number 8/Flanker |
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| Age | 26 |
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| Height | 1.77m (5'10") |
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| Weight | 81kg (12st 10lb) |
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| Caps | 42 |
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Being told that she would not make the top grade as a centre was the inspiration behind Sarah Hunter switching to the back row and celebrating her 40-cap landmark with a try when captaining England to a 61-0 win over Spain in the opening FIRA-AER European Cup match at Rovereto, Italy in May this year.
She went on to lead them to the two more victories over Italy and then France in the final, having been in charge when the Red Roses beat hosts Canada 22-10 in the 2011 Nations Cup, along the way to the final in which she powered over for a try from a scrum.
Sarah added to her distinctions when being invited by head coach Gary Street to captain England in the two match series against France in November 2011. She said: “I was thrilled to accept.” Later that month, she started the enthralling match in which England beat the Black Ferns 10-0 at Twickenham and again wore the Number 8 jersey in the third game between the sides that was drawn 8-8.
Her latest delights were sharing in the 47-0 win as vice captain over Scotland in February this year and then leading the side to a 43-3 victory over Italy at Recco, near Genoa the following week. She then scored an opportunist try from a tapped penalty against Wales at Twickenham when playing off the bench in the second half.
Her Test honours followed appearances for England U19s, Academy and A team, as well as captaining Northumberland U16, North East U18 and England A. Sarah has also led her club, Lichfield Ladies, for whom her debut was against Clifton in October 2004.
Sarah began playing rugby league aged nine at primary school and started in union five years later. Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, she attended Goathland Primary and Longbenton Community College in North Tyneside before gaining a BSc in Sport Science and Mathematics at Loughborough University. She was a Community Rugby Coach for the RFU in Birmingham before being appointed as an RFU Regional Student Liaison Officer in September 2010. Sarah is now helping to develop the game in universities and further education colleges in the Midlands.
Her many mentors include Graham Cooper, the head coach at Novocastrians where she played for three seasons, Jo Wells, a regional coach who introduced her to rugby union and her first coach Mick Hogan. She said: “England forwards’ coach Graham Smith and my club coach at Lichfield, Damo Mooney both had a strong influence but it was Phil Forsyth, the ex-England U19 coach who converted me from playing at centre to the back row.
“My favourite match was the 2010 World Cup final. It was a great game to be part of despite the result. I now want to continue improving as a player and become involved in and win the next global tournament in 2014.”
Sarah’s achievements feature winning the British Universities Championship with Loughborough. Her England triumphs include the Six Nations three times, together with the European Championship and Nations Cup twice each. Personal accolades are players’ player awards at Novocastrians, Lichfield, Loughborough University and the England Academy. Her top players are former England flanker Richard Hill and England Women’s player Georgina Stevens.
Last updated: May 21, 2012
