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Sarah Hunter Leads the Charge to Elevate Women’s Rugby
Sarah Hunter, a decorated veteran of 141 appearances for the England National Rugby Union Team, is witnessing the remarkable growth of women’s rugby firsthand. Now a member of the coaching staff, she is uniquely positioned to drive the sport forward and capitalize on its current momentum.
Women’s rugby has come a long way since Hunter’s debut in 2007. At that time, the game was wholly amateur, garnered minimal attention from media outlets, and was played in less-than-ideal facilities before sparse crowds. Today, England’s Red Roses boast professional contracts, and a groundswell of support propelled the team to a record-breaking crowd of 58,498 at Twickenham during their Six Nations triumph over France in 2023. This historic victory generated an estimated revenue of £1 million, reinforcing the immense potential of women’s rugby.
Retired from playing after England’s successful Six Nations campaign in 2024, Hunter is determined not to allow women’s rugby to stagnate. Inspired by the surge in popularity of women’s football, she is eager to foster similar growth in her sport. The Women’s Super League and the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 victory have created an unprecedented enthusiasm for the sport, with Arsenal Women enjoying sold-out stadiums. Drawing parallels, Hunter aspires to build women’s rugby into a similarly sought-after spectacle.
“I think the women’s game can definitely get bigger still. Football is leading the way, and that’s something we are striving to emulate in rugby.”
Women’s rugby unquestionably presents the most promising avenue for future expansion, according to Hunter. She told BBC Sport Rugion Union, “I think the women’s game can definitely get bigger still. Football is leading the way, and that’s something we are striving to emulate in rugby.”
With an ambitious aim to sell out Twickenham for the 2025 Women’s World Cup final, Hunter and the RFU are carefully studying the Lionesses’ successful blueprint. Though the challenge remains daunting due to football’s enormous global following, Hunter remains optimistic, given the increasing popularity of women’s rugby and the Red Roses’ considerable success.
Under the guidance of head coach John Mitchell, England begins its 2024 Women’s Six Nations campaign this weekend against Italy, with Marlie Packer poised to earn her 100th cap. With the countdown to the 2025 Women’s World Cup on home soil well underway, the RFU is resolute in its pursuit of global glory, led by the indomitable Hunter, who remains committed to ensuring women’s rugby continues its thrilling ascent.
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