Natasha Hunt is ready for World Cup duty with England three years after missing out on a call
Share this @internewscast.com

Natasha Hunt was notably absent from England’s squad for the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup, observing from a distance as the team faced heartache in the final. 

Fast forward three years, Hunt has solidified her spot as one of the first picks for the Red Roses and is emerging as a potential global superstar. The scrum-half has made a remarkable comeback. 

She attributes her impressive revival to an honest conversation with current England head coach John Mitchell. While Simon Middleton, Mitchell’s predecessor, excluded Hunt in 2022, Mitchell promptly brought her back into the fold. 

‘He really understands me on a personal level,’ Hunt mentioned about Mitchell before the much-anticipated 2025 World Cup opener against the USA on Friday night.

‘Our first interaction involved him pulling me aside and saying, “Why are you overthinking things? I trust you. Just go out there and perform.” 

‘That moment for me meant so much because of everything that had gone before. 

Natasha Hunt is ready for World Cup duty with England three years after missing out on a call

Natasha Hunt is ready for World Cup duty with England three years after missing out on a call

Hunt is now England's first-choice scrum-half and a potential breakout global superstar

Hunt is now England’s first-choice scrum-half and a potential breakout global superstar

The No 9 credits a conversation with England Women's coach John Mitchell for her turnaround

The No 9 credits a conversation with England Women’s coach John Mitchell for her turnaround

BIG MATCH FACTS 

England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Heard, Breach; Harrison, Hunt; Botterman, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), Kabeya, Matthews 

Replacements: Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Bern, Galligan, Feaunati, L Packer, Scarratt, Sing

USA: Sharp; Henrich, Maher, Kelter, Mataitoga; Hawkins, Ortiz; Rogers, Treder, Sagapolu, Brody, Jarrell-Searcy, Zackary, Perris-Redding, Johnson 

Replacements: Stathopoulos, Leatherman, Jacoby, Ehrecke, Tafuna, Bargell, Bitter, Ibarra

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) 

Kick-off: 7.30pm 

TV: BBC1

‘My challenge has always been striving to be the best, yet I’ve often held myself back by playing it safe. 

‘He’s just given me the freedom and confidence to go out and do it which he’s done for most of the squad.’ 

Without Hunt, England were beaten by New Zealand in the 2022 World Cup final.

Remarkably, that was the last time they lost a match. 

Mitchell’s side are a winning machine and firm favourites for global glory as by far and away the best female rugby international team on the planet. Mitchell has named his strongest possible XV for the tournament’s opening night and the USA clash. 

It is an encounter which promises much. 

A crowd of in the region of 45,000 is expected at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. England’s women’s rugby stars are hoping to build on the successes of their football counterparts and make it a summer to remember. 

The Lionesses lifted their second consecutive European Championship last month. Now it’s over to Hunt and Co to replicate that success. 

‘It’s amazing to be part of it,’ Hunt said. 

‘I’m just absolutely buzzing to be back in the mix. To get the opportunity to put myself into that squad is everything. I’ll never take it for granted. 

Hunt and England will begin their home World Cup against the USA in Sunderland on Friday

Hunt and England will begin their home World Cup against the USA in Sunderland on Friday

The USA's star is Ilona Maher, the world's most followed rugby rugby player on social media

The USA’s star is Ilona Maher, the world’s most followed rugby rugby player on social media

‘I think it hits me every now and again. I’m a bit of a softy, so I do get emotional about it. It means so much to me. It doesn’t mean I’m not resilient because I get emotional. 

‘It just means I care so much about it. We’re so excited about the prospect of what’s to come over the next few weeks. It feels like we’ve been speaking about this tournament for so long and it’s finally here. 

‘This country absolutely loves sport and they love winning teams. When you combine that, which hopefully we’re going to be doing, we can take this sport into another stratosphere. That’s what we all want and to inspire those coming forward as well.’ 

Despite the presence of Ilona Maher – rugby’s most followed social media star – in the USA side, England should win comfortably on the opening night. In all reality, they should progress serenely to the final on September 27. 

That Twickenham clash is already sold out, meaning the game will have the biggest ever attendance for a women’s rugby match. 

The success of the Lionesses has meant a huge increase in demand for Rugby World Cup tickets. Nearly 500,000 tournament tickets have been sold in total. 

There is huge pressure and expectation on England to deliver. But they are a fine team and should rise to it. Expect them to go one better than they did in 2022 and emulate the Lionesses by lifting a major trophy. 

‘It’s exciting. You hear this word pressure all the time. It’s just a word. You’ve got to turn it into an action,’ Mitchell said. 

‘Some people tend to frame it negatively. It becomes more around the risk of failure then, whereas I see this as an opportunity to be successful.’

Hunt warms up for the USA at Sunderland's Stadium of Light ahead of Friday's big game

Hunt warms up for the USA at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light ahead of Friday’s big game

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Mother left red-faced after ordering a personalised T-shirt online... only for it to come with a very awkward mistake

Online Shopping Mishap: Mom’s Personalized T-Shirt Order Goes Hilariously Wrong

A New Zealand mother was left embarrassed after a personalized T-shirt order…

Shedding Misogynistic Views Acquired Online: A Personal Journey

More than 50 years ago, the women’s liberation movement reshaped society’s expectations…

Senator Price Faces Court Battle Over Alleged Defamation of NT Land Council Leader

Outspoken Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is being sued by the head…
Child heard woman cry for help before finding her dead, court told

Court Hears Chilling Testimony: Child Discovers Woman’s Body After Cry for Help

A young child’s account to the police revealed that they heard screams…
Afterpay

Afterpay Restored: Global Outage Resolved, Millions Impacted

Afterpay, a leading buy now, pay later service, announced it has mostly…
Australian nutritionist and food influencer Stacey Hatfield has died from an extremely rare complication during childbirth, her heartbroken husband Nathan Warnecke said.

Tragic Loss: Beloved Australian Food Influencer Dies from Rare Childbirth Complication

Australia mourns the loss of beloved nutritionist and food influencer Stacey Hatfield,…
Another hostage's body returned after Israeli strikes on Gaza

Body of Hostage Repatriated Following Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza

Israeli police said a coffin carrying the apparent remains of a deceased…
Nicole Kidman is opening up 'taking risks' and the mistakes she has made in a new interview with with Vogue published Wednesday - in the midst of a divorce from longtime husband Keith Urban

Nicole Kidman Reflects on Risk-Taking and Past Missteps Amid Keith Urban Divorce

Nicole Kidman recently sat down with Vogue for an interview released on…
Two sunscreens pulled off shelves amid SPF concerns - Outside Beauty & Skincare SPF 50+ Mineral Primer and Salus SPF 50+ Daily Facial Sunscreen

Two Popular Sunscreens Recalled Due to SPF Accuracy Issues

A further two sunscreens have been pulled from shelves amid sun protection…
The Royal Australian Air Force’s first P-8A Poseidon fly’s down the St Vincent Gulf coastline near Adelaide in South Australia. *** Local Caption *** In an Australian first, a Neptune, Catalina, AP-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon aircraft have flown over Adelaide together to mark the start of a new era for the Royal Australian Air Force. Representing four generations of aircraft flown by Number 11 Squadron, the aircraft have flown over Adelaide to celebrate the arrival of the first Royal Australian A

Chinese Aircraft’s Risky Flare Maneuver Raises Concerns for Australian Aviation Safety

A Chinese aircraft recently released flares dangerously close to a Royal Australian…

Hamas Returns Body of Israeli Hostage in Latest Diplomatic Development

Israel has confirmed it has received the remains of another Gaza hostage…
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley delivers a speech at the Centre for Independent Studies. Monday 20th October 2025.

New Tax Cuts Announced for Australians: Here’s What You Need to Know

Future tax cuts will be put on the table by Opposition Leader…