Natasha Hunt Targets Lions Tour Following Injury Return

England scrum-half Natasha Hunt, recently returned from a knee ligament injury, is aiming for a spot on the inaugural British and Irish Lions women's tour to New Zealand. The veteran player, who missed the latter part of England’s Six Nations Grand Slam campaign and Gloucester-Hartpury’s playoff run, has been named to start against Australia in England's WXV Global Series opener.

The 37-year-old sustained the knee ligament damage in April during England’s Six Nations opener against Ireland, an injury that kept her sidelined for several months during the Red Roses' Grand-Slam winning campaign. Her return to the starting lineup against the Wallaroos marks a significant step in her recovery and her pursuit of the historic Lions tour.

Lions Tour Motivation

Hunt, a two-time Olympian with Team GB Sevens, expressed significant motivation for the Lions tour, highlighting the unique experience of combining different cultures toward a shared goal. She suggested that any player close to national team selection for the four participating nations is undoubtedly considering the tour, even if they claim otherwise.

The landmark five-fixture tour is scheduled to commence on September 4, 2027, with a warm-up match against a Black Ferns XV, followed by the first of three Tests against New Zealand a week later with the first Test exactly a year away. Coach Jo Yapp is expected to announce the touring squad in May 2027, following the conclusion of next year's Women's Six Nations.

Partnership with Aitchison

Hunt will partner with Holly Aitchison in the half-back pairing for the upcoming WXV match. Their previous collaboration dates back nearly a decade when Aitchison was a rising prospect at Litchfield Ladies. Hunt praised Aitchison's ability to challenge the gain line and deliver accurate, long passes, calling her "pretty unmatched in the game."

The WXV Global Series will see England face Australia, Canada, and New Zealand in consecutive weekends. Following these matches, the Red Roses will travel to North America in October for a match against the USA and a two-Test series against Canada. For broader world rugby coverage and insights into team preparations, USA Rugby News follows major tournaments.

Post-Injury Comeback

Hunt dedicated the past summer to rehabilitation with Gloucester's strength and conditioning team, working to recover from her knee injury. Her impressive return to form earned her the starting scrum-half position over Lucy Packer, who had performed well in her absence. Teams like Portugal, who have recently sets sights on RWC 2027 quarter-finals, understand the importance of player availability and depth for major tournaments.