Loughborough Lightning legend Sarah Hunter has been appointed as Transition Coach for the Red Roses as part of a new-look coaching set-up.
Hunter, 37, retired from professional rugby in March following a decorated career which saw her become England’s most-capped player with 141 appearances for the Red Roses. She featured in 17 Six Nations tournaments, won ten Grand Slams and reached four World Cup finals – lifting the trophy as vice-captain in 2014.
The back row was awarded an MBE in the 2015 New Year’s honours list and was named World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year in 2016 before moving to Lightning the following season and making 61 appearances in a Loughborough shirt.
While studying for her Sports Science and Mathematics degree at Loughborough University, Hunter went on to perform a player-coach role within Lightning’s set up, before her retirement during this year’s Six Nations after England’s win over Scotland.
“It has been a privilege to support Sarah on her player to coach journey,” said Loughborough’s Director of Rugby, Rhys Edwards.
“It goes without saying how much of impact Sarah has had on the women’s game – no more recently than the growth of Lightning Rugby over the last six years, into our exciting partnership with Northampton Saints.”
Rhys Edwards, Director of Rugby at Loughborough Lightning
“Sarah’s transition from world-class player to player-coach has been seamless, and she has established herself as very proficient set-piece coach.
“We had been looking forward to her taking on a larger role with Lightning post her retirement from playing, but this new position with the Red Roses comes at an exciting time, with a home World Cup on the horizon.
“We wish her all the best with this new role. Our loss is certainly the Red Roses’ gain.”
Hunter is appointed as England Women’s Transition Coach to work with both the senior women’s team and pathway programme – with a focus on forwards, breakdown and defensive systems.
She joins a new-look coaching set-up which also sees John Mitchell move into the role of Head Coach, Louis Deacon continue as Forwards Coach, Charlie Hayter switch to Head of Women’s Performance, and Lou Meadows progress to the senior England side’s Attack Coach from the Under-20s programme.
Conor O’Shea, the RFU’s Executive Director Performance Rugby, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming John back to England Rugby.
“Together with Louis, Charlie, Sarah and Lou, this will be a formidable coaching team to take the Red Roses to the next stage in their development.
“With our most recent TikTok Six Nations Grand Slam win and setting a global record crowd, a high bar has been set. I’m confident that this extensively experienced coaching team will be equally challenging and supportive of the team in the next stage of their development.”
