women
international women
Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt has already packed a lot into her stellar career.
The 37-year-old earned 89 England caps to date, raised more Guinness Women’s Six Nations title, became a double Olympian competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics and postponed the Tokyo Olympics, and played a huge part in her club Gloucester Hartpury’s outstanding success in the Women’s Rugby Premiership between 2022-2025.
Those achievements only scratch the surface of the celebrated Red Roses scrum-half’s decorated career. Now, however, Hunt is looking for a new challenge – to become part of history with the inaugural British and Irish Lions Women’s Tour to New Zealand in 2027
Hunt will make his long-awaited return from injury by wearing the number nine jersey against Australia in the opening match of the WXV Global Series, with the clash against the Wallaroos giving her her first taste of international rugby since suffering knee ligament damage against Ireland at the opening of England’s Grand Slam winning Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign earlier this year.
And with the prospect of a Lions call-up on the horizon, Hunt admits the opportunity is one that is already occupying the minds of players across the Four Nations.
“It would be amazing to be included in the (Lions tour),” Hunt explained.
“I think every player who is close to playing for their country in those four countries is thinking about it, and if they say they’re not, they’re lying!
“I’ve been lucky enough to play in the GB Sevens team twice. It’s been some of my favourite, most enjoyable rugby, just the mixing of cultures, everyone has a common goal and comes together very quickly to try and do something special,” said the Olympian, who competed in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021.”
Hunt represented Team GB at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021 Olympics, experiences that could prove invaluable if she earns a place in another breakthrough multi-nation squad.
The historic five-match tour begins on September 4, 2027, with a warm-up against the Black Ferns XV, before moving through Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington, concluding with the final Test against the Black Ferns on September 25 at the new One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch.
Jo Yapp, who was appointed head coach of the first British and Irish Lions women’s team in May this year, is expected to name her team in May 2027, following the conclusion of next year’s Women’s Six Nations.
For Hunt, the journey to New Zealand starts with getting back to what he does best.
The scrum-half has been working hard with Gloucester Hartpury’s strength and conditioning team to prepare for the WXV Global Series and he can’t wait to get into the Red Roses jersey one more time.
After Saturday’s match against the Wallaroos, England will face off Canada and New Zealand on consecutive weekends, before heading across the Atlantic in October for a meeting with USA and a two-Test series against Canada.
It’s a demanding schedule, but for Hunt, every minute on the pitch is another opportunity to put himself in the frame.
Because while her focus is firmly on a successful return to international rugby, a bigger prize awaits her on the horizon.
The chance to be selected for the first British & Irish Lions women’s team would add another remarkable chapter to Hunt’s already decorated career – and if she arrives in New Zealand in 2027, the veteran scrum-half could find herself at the heart of another historic moment in rugby history.
