Natasha Hunt was the headline omission from England’s squad for the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup. She watched on from afar as the team suffered final heartbreak. 

Three years later, Hunt is now one of the first names on the Red Roses’ team sheet and a potential breakout global superstar. The scrum-half has bounced back in style. 

And she credits a heart-to-heart with current England head coach John Mitchell for her stunning turnaround. Mitchell’s predecessor Simon Middleton left Hunt out in 2022. But Mitchell immediately reinstated her when he took over. 

‘I think he understands me so much as a person,’ Hunt said of Mitchell ahead of the hotly-anticipated 2025 World Cup opener between England and USA on Friday night.

‘The first time I met him, he pulled me into a corridor and basically just said to me “Why are you in your own head? I trust you. I want you to just go out and do your thing.” 

‘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

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 difficulty is I’ve always wanted to be the best I could be and I’ve always been somebody that’s almost held myself back and tried to just be safe in what I’m doing. 

‘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

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