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It is a quiet midweek afternoon on the outskirts of Bristol and, up to now, Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt has been her normal upbeat self. England’s scrum-half has been discussing any number of topics, from her love of rugby’s tactical nuances to her croissant-loving fans, with the easy confidence of someone relishing every second of this women’s Rugby World Cup.
Her sparkly eyed positivity is such that it’s easy to forget she has had to escape the heart of darkness to be here. Three years ago, on the eve of the last World Cup, Hunt was axed from the Red Roses squad and big knockout games such as Saturday’s semi-final against France now mean that little bit more. “When you get hurt that bad it’s never going to go away,” she says softly. “You’re always going to have a little scar.”
It says everything about the 36-year-old’s competitive nature that she believes the “heartbreak” has actually helped to prolong her career. “You can either roll over or come back fighting ... those were my two options. Am I done? They don’t want me any more ... am I finished? I decided I wasn’t done and had so much more to give. I’m really glad I chose that path. It was really tough at the time but it’s definitely made me a better player, a better coach and a better teammate.”
How England ever felt they could do without their feisty No 9 remains baffling. Last weekend in the Ashton Gate rain she looked as fit and alert as ever, albeit behind an ascendant pack of forwards. The huddle microphones constantly catch her exhorting teammates to run straight and stay focused. England, simply put, look a happier team when she’s around.
Hunt has always been the energetic type from her earliest days racing her big sister Emma back home from the school bus in the Forest of Dean. Once her height became a drawback in netball – “I had England trials but I was always too short” – the fresh canvas of rugby proved the ideal outlet. “I absolutely adore the tactical element of rugby. I think anticipating the game is probably one of my biggest strengths. Reading the opposition’s body language, working out what they’re trying to achieve and looking to stop that happening ...”
Having played for England since 2011 and shared in their 2014 World Cup triumph, she has also seen the transformation of the women’s game first-hand. “The biggest thing I remember about 2014 is that we had four-day turnarounds. It was just mental. The whole tournament was done in about two and a half weeks and we were straight back to work on our return.”
Eighty-six caps and two Olympic Games later, few are better placed to appreciate just how much has subsequently changed. “When I first started the Olympics weren’t an option and England were playing in front of 100 people at Esher. I don’t think I could ever have envisaged what it is now. That’s why it means so much. You genuinely savour every moment because I didn’t think in my lifetime the game would be where it is now. I feel so lucky still to be part of it.”
These days, as an increasingly recognisable face on television and social media, it has reached the point where fans queue up to give her presents after games. Breakfast pastries have also become unlikely offerings since her great mate Emily Scarratt announced on their podcast that she wouldn’t swap her match jersey for two croissants but might be tempted by five.
At heart, though, Hunt has never been in it for the glitz or the gifts. “It’s never been a glamorous sport for me. I remember games at Lichfield with the hailstones falling on us were like golf balls. Or playing on the back pitches at Clifton after the boys had already churned them up. But when you’re ‘mud monsters’ it bonds you even more with the girls around you. We’re all there thinking, ‘What are we doing?’ but there’s so much shared joy.”
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Two more wins and the Red Roses could generate a whole new level of patriotic euphoria. The pressure is rising but, more broadly, women’s rugby has already won. “We knew coming in there was a huge opportunity to take women’s rugby to another level but I don’t think any of us quite expected the reality of what that could look like if we got it right.
“The last group of pool games in Northampton were a sell-out without any of the home nations playing. That’s just a remarkable achievement. What’s really important is that we galvanise the nation and get more little girls – or young boys – playing the sport. Then we’ve done our jobs.” Even Hunt’s mother has been swept along by the hype. “My mum wanted to go and play – I told her she’s absolutely not allowed because she’s about 60 now and people will just target her.”
In a perfect world Hunt would also like to play on for another couple of years and participate – “I would love to go out like that” – on the inaugural female British & Irish Lions tour in 2027. As things stand, you wouldn’t bet against her. “I’m not somebody who is super flashy and is going to score you loads of tries but what I’ll hopefully do is put someone else into space or give them that extra second on the ball.”
Above all else, though, she now has the chance to close the book on her most painful rugby chapter. “That’ll live with me always ... not just in terms of how low I was but the fact there’s always a way out if you’ve got enough fight. That’s the big thing I want to be remembered for. I feel really proud that I’ve managed to get myself back in the place that I have.” One final push and the circle will be complete.
