Sarah Hunter, 2017 – photographed as part of the Instants* series

Back in 2017, I was very fortunate to find myself in Ireland/Northern Ireland for the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

I did photograph the final of the tournament and I blogged about it briefly here.

When working on my Instants* project, I am sometimes too shy to walk up to people to ask them for an autographed photo of themselves. This photo happens to be one that I have just taken. It’s really a daunting task asking someone to pose and then keep them a while longer for them to sign the print.

On this day, England lost to New Zealand in the final and the only photo I was missing was from the England captain, Sarah Hunter. I had already managed to get one of the New Zealand and French captains as they were first and third in the tournament.

When I got wind that England was about to leave for their hotel, I joined the waiting crowd, but I was nervous. I was there as an accredited photographer and was working on my project going a step too far. Luckily, I had a fellow female photographer friend to encourage me, because I would have totally missed my chance at getting this image to complete my set.

And as Hunter walked out of the main building heading towards their team bus, I summed up the courage to ask for a picture and autograph. Thus getting my full set of the medalled captains from the WRWC 2017.

I am sharing this as the news broke this week that Hunter is retiring from rugby.

Thank you Sarah Hunter and all the best in your future endeavours!

England’s most capped player, Sarah Hunter, is to call time on her rugby playing career following Saturday’s TikTok Women’s Six Nations opener against Scotland at Kingston Park, Newcastle.

Hunter, who has captained her country since 2015, is set to represent the Red Roses in her hometown of Newcastle, which would be her final playing appearance.

The 37-year-old has made 140 international appearances and became England’s most-capped player in last year’s Rugby World Cup where she surpassed Rocky Clark’s previous record of 137.

She was part of the Red Roses’ 2014 World Cup-winning squad and led her team to finals in 2017 and 2022. The North Shields-born forward has won 10 Six Nations titles and nine grand slams during her career.

Press release from England Rugby