Natasha Hunt Aims for Lions Tour After Injury Recovery

England scrum-half Natasha Hunt stated that the inaugural British and Irish Lions women's tour to New Zealand, with its first Test scheduled for September 4, 2024, serves as a significant motivation during her recovery from injury. The 37-year-old athlete suffered knee ligament damage during England's Six Nations opening match against Ireland in April. As a result, she was sidelined for the remainder of the Red Roses’ Grand-Slam winning campaign as well as Gloucester-Hartpury's journey to the Premier 15s semi-finals. Nevertheless, Hunt is set to start at number nine in England's WXV Global Series opener against Australia in Salford on Saturday.

"I’ve been fortunate enough to have played in Team GB Sevens set-ups twice over," Hunt mentioned, referring to her experiences at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021 Olympics. "That was some of my favourite, most enjoyable rugby, just mixing cultures, everyone having a common goal and coming together really quickly to try to get something special done."

Hunt expressed her desire to participate in the Lions tour, stating, "It would be unbelievable to be involved in [the Lions tour]. I think every player that is close to playing for their country in those four nations is thinking about it. And if they say they’re not, they’re lying!"

The landmark five-fixture tour will commence with a warm-up match against a Black Ferns XV, followed by three Tests against New Zealand. Coach Jo Yapp is anticipated to announce her squad in May 2027, after the conclusion of the 2026 Women's Six Nations.

Hunt utilized much of the previous summer working with Gloucester's strength and conditioning team to rehabilitate her knee. After observing Lucy Packer's impressive performances during her absence, Hunt received the starting opportunity against the Wallaroos. She will form a half-back partnership with Holly Aitchison, with whom she first played nearly a decade ago. Hunt recalled, "We played one game together - I was nine, she was 10 against Worcester and we really enjoyed it."

Aitchison's skills were particularly highlighted by Hunt. "She’s just such an exciting rugby player. Her ability to play at the line is pretty unmatched in the game. The way that she can take a ball at such pace, challenge that line and then fizz a pass 20 metres… I don’t think there are many people in the game that can do that."

Following the match against Australia, who previously defeated England 47-7 en route to winning the World Cup last year, England's team will take on Canada and New Zealand on the following weekends. The second half of the WXV Global Series is set to take place in October, featuring a match against the USA and a two-Test series against Canada.