Sarah Hunter has revealed that she will retire directly after the Round One Scotland game on March 25. She will not complete the 2023 season.
Tributes are already pouring in from all quarters. The bald stats are breathtaking, a debut sixteen seasons ago and 140 caps, a world record in the women’s game. She was appointed MBE after England won the 2014 World Cup in Paris, and won the World Player of the Year award in 2016.
When Rochelle (Rocky) Clark retired in July 2018, few people imagined that her exceptional records could ever be broken. They were.
It’s most unlikely that Hunter will then spend an extended holiday in the Galapagos Islands. She will be far too concerned with England’s remaining games in the Championship, and she has an important task as assistant coach in helping Loughborough Lightning improve their currently faltering position in the Premier 15s. It will be fascinating to see where and how her coaching career develops.
You can now predict whose shoulders will bear her off the field. This will be an emotional farewell to end all emotional farewells. It will put Hunter’s almost permanent smile to its biggest test yet.
Looking forward
Now come the questions about the future.
When did Simon Middleton learn about Hunter’s decision? We may assume a long time ago, hence his decision to appoint Marlie Packer alongside her as co-captain – the first time he has employed this division of responsibility.
For the last four fixtures of the 6N tournament we will see a different face at No 8. If it isn’t Poppy Cleall, I will need to find another chocolate hat to eat.
Will Packer become the permanent captain?
There are three variables that make a clear answer impossible:
In Hunter’s absence other players have been honoured with the captaincy, among them Poppy Cleall and Zoe Aldcroft. At least one, Abbie Ward, is not available for selection this season.
By the time England next play a test match a new boss will be in place. He or she may well see the picture differently.
Packer is renowned for her powers of encouragement. ‘The heartbeat of the team’ is an oft-heard opinion from team-mates. But captaincy involves far more than that. On the field alone there are moments of high tension when the big decisions are needed: a kick at goal or a punt to the corner and let the pack take over? That was a defining moment at the end of the RWC final. Which of the candidates mentioned can keep the coolest head?
