| Venue: Twickenham Stadium Date: Saturday, 20 April Kick-off: 14:15 BST |
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England’s most-capped participant Sarah Hunter admits she was initially not “snug” in her new function as defence coach, however now feels she is settling in.
The 38-year-old retired final season after victory over Scotland at Kingston Park in her aspect’s opening Girls’s Six Nations recreation.
The previous England captain then began her new function in September.
“I do really feel over time that it’s got a bit bit simpler,” Hunter stated.
“It’s extra seamless now than possibly I felt initially.”
England’s defence underneath Hunter has been spectacular through the Six Nations, with no factors conceded towards Italy and Scotland.
“Did I really feel snug initially? Completely not. It was only a little bit of the unknown, I suppose, which was undoubtedly one thing I had not ready for,” the most-capped participant in girls’s rugby added.
“Not that I [thought I] could be swish like a swan – however on the floor, I used to be form of pretending I knew what I used to be doing when underneath the water I used to be like: ‘Am I doing the correct factor?'”
The Pink Roses stay heading in the right direction to safe a 3rd successive Grand Slam and a sixth successive Six Nations title, and welcome Eire to Twickenham on Saturday, with a crowd of greater than 45,000 anticipated.
Nevertheless, the long-term aim stays success at a house World Cup in 2025, which was an enormous motive in Hunter taking over her new function.
“I’ve been capable of come again in with the timing of it, by way of the place the sport goes and constructing,” the previous England captain stated.
“The actual fact there’s a residence World Cup subsequent 12 months… I knew I used to be by no means going to make it [to that tournament] as a participant however there was at all times the sensation that if I used to be a 12 months or two youthful, I may need been capable of make it.
“I do really feel lucky I’ve been given the chance to try this [as a coach] and be concerned within the recreation at its most enjoyable and largest time.”