Hunter, 35, was born in Newcastle and started playing rugby league at school aged nine. After switching to rugby union she joined Lichfield Ladies in 2004 and is now a player-coach for Loughborough Lightning. She has more than 120 caps for England and played in the victorious World Cup squad in 2014. She is currently captaining England women in the Six Nations. Hunter lives with her boyfriend, Nathan Smith, near Loughborough.
At home, I’m woken up at 5.30am on weekdays because Nathan has to drive to Yorkshire, where he is a coach at Doncaster Knights rugby club. However, since it was announced in March that the Six Nations would go ahead, I’ve been living in a bubble with the rest of the England team at a hotel near London.
Training has been hard but it was fantastic to be back with the girls again. I hadn’t played a competitive game since October, when I was injured after only 15 minutes on the pitch. It has been a struggle getting back to fitness but I’m thrilled to be in the squad.
It’s always an honour leading your country out on to the pitch, no matter how many times you have pulled on the shirt. I was very grateful the management kept their faith in me. England has won the last two Six Nations, so we are determined to make it a hat-trick. Everybody will be out to beat us.
Usually I have poached eggs on toast and a large coffee for breakfast before morning training. I’m about 12½ stone and have no issues with my weight. If anything, I’ll be trying to keep my weight up because I play in the scrum at No 8.
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I started my career playing rugby league at primary school. The rugby authorities were promoting the league game in the northeast but my head teacher would only allow it in our school if girls were allowed to play too.
I watched my older brother, James, trying lots of sports, so I copied him. My parents supported me — although I think Mum was worried I would eventually come home with an ugly cauliflower ear.
I played in mixed teams up to the age of 13 and I towered above most of the boys. There’s still a funny picture on my parents’ piano that shows how tall I was at ten. I’m 5ft 9½in now, which is still pretty tall.
I eat whatever is available in the hotel for lunch. Maybe soup or a sandwich. It’s a joy not to have to cook. Then we have more training, at Pennyhill Park in Surrey. It’s a luxury spa hotel but our budget doesn’t stretch to staying there too.
The women’s game has made giant steps forward since my England debut in 2007. Back then, we had to contribute towards training camps and fend for ourselves. Now there are teams across the country and, since 2019, some of the national squad have central contracts worth £30,000, we run out in front of tens of thousands of fans at Twickenham and our games are televised.
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TV cameras pick up everything, even the embarrassing moments. In 2017 I was playing against the USA in the World Cup. There was a key moment as we drove towards the line for a second try when I thought, “Oh my God, my shorts are coming down!” My shirt was riding up too but I had to keep going to be sure we scored. Some of the team reminded me to tie my shorts up properly after that.
They also make fun of me for taking my hairdryer and straighteners to every game. I like looking feminine and besides, they always ask if they can borrow them.
Supper is in our bubble group at the hotel. A favourite would be fajitas. Later I crash out in front of the television in my room and speak to Nathan about the day.
It’s great to get out on the pitch again and try to give England fans something to cheer about. Hopefully, there will be another photo or two to go on top of the piano back home in Newcastle before I eventually hang up my boots for good.
Words of wisdom
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Best advice I was given
Tough times don’t last, tough people do
Advice I’d give
Enjoy what you do and have fun doing it
What I wish I’d known
How far and successful women’s rugby would go
