Hunter's Most Memorable Matches
Sarah Hunter is set to make history as the most capped England player of all time with 138 international appearances.
Her name is known across the world of rugby. She's a World Cup winner, an 11-time Six Nations Championship victor - including nine Grand Slams - and in 2015 she was awarded an MBE for services to the sport.
A mainstay in the Red Roses team since the beginning of her international career in 2007, Sarah Hunter stands among rugby royalty as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
The 37-year-old is set to write her name in the history books against Australia this weekend, in what will be her 138th appearance for England - a feat never before achieved by any player, male or female.
In acknowledgment of this milestone achievement, we take a look back at her finest moments and most memorable matches for the Red Roses.
Debut against Scotland
Bursting onto the international scene as a fresh-faced 21-year-old, Hunter made her debut from the bench in England’s 60-0 victory over Scotland in the 2007 Women’s Six Nations.
The Red Roses ran riot in St Albans, scoring 10 tries and keeping Scotland to nil in a game that saw tries for Danielle Waterman, Karen Andrew, Catherine Spencer, Maggie Alphonsi and Claire Allen, a brace for Sue Day and a hat trick for Charlotte Barras.
Hunter went on to make four appearances for the Red Roses in her first Six Nations outing, cementing her position as a regular in the starting XV for years to come.
50 Caps
Hunter’s 50th international cap came during the 2013 Six Nations Championship as England hosted Italy at Esher’s Molesey Road, beating the visitors 34-0.
It was a convincing win for the home side courtesy of five first-half tries from Joanna McGilchrist, Roz Crowley (2) and Sally Tuson, with Hunter marking the occasion with a try herself.
Speaking after the game, she said: "We have struggled in the last two games and to get a win today is absolutely fabulous and a performance to be proud of.
"We knew the Italians would come at us in the second half after coming out all guns blazing in the first. All credit to the Italians and they tested us until the end."
2014 RWC Final
Hunter was just nine years old when England Women defeated the USA 38-23 in the 1994 Rugby World Cup final, and 20 years later she was named in the starting line up to face Canada in Paris.
England’s first try came from Danielle Waterman as Emily Scarratt’s boot kept them ahead at the break. Magali Harvey’s penalty efforts in response proved futile, as Scarratt sliced her way through the Canadian defence in the 77th minute to confirm a famous 21-9 victory for the Red Roses.
100 Not Out
The Red Roses hosted Canada at the Twickenham Stoop in November 2017 in the Old Mutual Wealth Series. The two sides had already met a week before, with England emerging 79-5 victors.
Hunter captained the side on the occasion of her 100th international cap, 10 years on from her debut. England won 49-12, scoring eight tries in the process.
On the eve of the match, Simon Middleton said: “Sarah Hunter is an incredible player and the ultimate professional. She has the highest standards in everything that she does, both on and off the pitch. A true leader, ultra-composed and rational but at the same time has real steel in her, she manages the team brilliantly.
“To achieve 100 caps in a career is truly special, Sarah should be immensely proud.”
Hat-trick vs Italy
The 2018 Women’s Six Nations got off to a fiery start as England kicked off their title defence with a 42-7 victory over Italy in Reggio Emilia.
Captaining the side from No 8, Hunter scored three times in the game, surpassing 100 international points and earning Player of the Match.
Her first try came off the back of a strong lineout maul, before crossing the line from short range minutes later. The hat trick came in the final play of the game as England’s demolition of the Italian scrum allowed Hunter to dot down, topping off a fine performance for the Red Roses.
